PRESTON library is laughing after scooping two cash awards to help encourage people to read more.

Under the first scheme, the library is set to become a 'Smile Centre', meaning it will get extra resources to help youngsters with learning difficulties improve their reading.

The town's library has also been chosen to pilot the Everybody's Reading scheme, which involves an outreach worker supporting groups of young adults who have difficulty reading.

The Smile Centre status follows Lancashire library's successful bid for nearly £200,000 from the Government's department of culture, media and sport. All library authorities in England were offered the chance to bid, but Lancashire was one of just a handful accepted.

A spokesman for the county council said: "The Smile Centres will organise reader development activities aimed at children and young people who have learning difficulties and will involve their families.

"The activities will be supported by the development of multi-media collections and a unique website.The centres will also provide support for parents, carers and teachers."

Various organisations which deal with disabled children will be involved to make sure the Smile Centres do enough to help youngsters. The nine partner organisations are: Mencap, Galloways Society for the Blind, National Library for the Blind, British Dyslexia Association, Ulverscroft Foundation, Tor View Special Needs Library, Burnley College, Lancashire Social Services and Lancashire SEN Advisory Team.

The first Smile Centres are due to open next January.

The Everybody's Reading scheme is being closely monitored and, if successful and if funding can be found, that may be extended across the county.