READING volunteers who have been helping young people get involved in libraries have been rewarded.

The Mayor of St Helens, Councillor Andy Bowden, handed out certificates to those who have pulled out the stops over the past three years to develop creative activities in libraries.

The Lottery-funded St Helens Reading Activists project aimed at 11 to 19 year olds is funded by the Big Lottery and after starting in 2011 with a roadshow a range of events have been staged including a live band, graphic tablets workshops, Manga drawing, creative writing, music workshops, Holocaust commemorations, Authors including Bali Rai and Darren Shan have taken part and the highlight so far was when youngsters visited Faber publishers. the highlight - the visit to London where the young people visited Faber Publishers.

Working alongside library staff the youthful assistants gained an insight into what libraries have to offer and gained planning, team-work, and budgeting skills.

Library staff enjoyed working with the volunteers who made a beneficial contribution to Library life and rewarded them with the certificates presented by the Mayor.