COULD this be the face of Preston's newest library?

A delegation from Lancashire County Council are heading to Norwich next month to check out the city's award-winning library. The authority are preparing to transform the inside if the former post office building in Birley Street.

The building was recently bought by Preston City Council, who will act as landlords, and plans are in the pipeline to transfer the huge stock of books from the Harris library into the listed postal building.

It is hoped this will free up room in the Harris for more museum exhibits.

County Councillor Marcus Johnstone, cabinet member for communications, information and lifelong learning, said: "There will be a delegation going from the council to Norwich to have a look at their library, to see how they're doing things.

"It's quite innovative stuff in Norwich. I want to see it on the ground. Anything we like we will bring back.

"We are going to Norwich to have a look to see what we like and what we don't like about what they're doing." Norwich library, named The Forum, has won awards for its architecture, but the local delegation will be interested only in the interior of the building.

The former post office is a listed building, and the outside cannot be touched. The design of the inside is set to cost 'at least' £10million, according to Coun Johnstone, and the delegates, about half a dozen councillors and officers, will be heading to Norwich in mid May.

Coun Johnstone said: "If this project comes off and I very much hope it does, it will be one of the largest capital projects Lancashire County Council has done."