Libraries in Sunday opening trial

More libraries across Cumbria are to open on Sundays in an effort to promote family visits.

Workington and Carlisle libraries are opening their doors from 12 December.

Penrith was the first of Cumbria County Council Library Service's six main libraries this year to try Sunday opening on 28 November.

Cumbria County Council says others sites in Barrow, Kendal and Whitehaven are due to join the scheme in the coming weeks.

The libraries will open between noon and 1600 GMT.

Sunday openings will coincide with special activities, performances and tasters sessions on the library's computers in the New Year.

Roger Bingham, county council cabinet member for culture, said: "The county council's library service got a 'good' rating from the government inspectors this year, and this is another good example of just how well the libraries are serving their communities and trying to reach more people."

Library Services manager Alan Welton said: "We had a good public response to a pilot scheme of Sunday opening in Penrith two years ago and we hope to see more people using the library service on Sundays in Penrith and at the other main libraries when they start Sunday opening."