Northumberland has the best library service in the country, a leading councillor has claimed.
The comments were made by Coun Jeff Watson, who has responsibility for the county's libraries as Northumberland County Council's cabinet member for healthy lives.
Coun Watson, who is Conservative councillor for the Amble West with Warkworth ward, made the comments at Wednesday's meeting of the council's communities and place overview and scrutiny committee.
The committee was presented with an update on the library service, and Coun Watson was keen to sing the praises of the organisation.
He said: "I'm very proud of our library service. I think it's second to none in the whole country.
"It is certainly among the premier library services in the country. I have been saying ever since I took over the portfolio that we won't close any libraries, and we haven't - unlike any other local authority in the country.
"We've even created a new one at Newbiggin, at Ponteland and reopened one in Blyth."
The committee heard that the county's libraries provided a vast array of services to the county's residents, including supporting them to seek advice within their communities and seeking new skills, as well as the developing literacy, social, and digital skills.
Coun Nick Morphet commented: "It's really impressive what you are doing."
A full list of all the county's libraries can be found on the council's website, along with regular events.
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