A RAFT of measures will be put in place to make sure visitors to Winsford Library will be kept safe when it reopens.

The library is one of four across Cheshire West that will open with reduced hours on Monday, July 13.

A limited number of people will be allowed inside at any one time, while a one-way system and floor markings will be in place to aid social distancing.

Hand sanitiser will be available for visitors, who will also be asked for their contact details as part of the NHS Track and Trace service, and children under 12 must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

All loans have been extended until September 1, and visitors will be able to return items and borrow books via self service machines, while computers can be pre-booked for essential tasks and urgent printing and photocopying

Services including reservations, reference stock, local studies material, meeting rooms, seating and toilets will not be available for now.

Cllr Louise Gittins, leader of Cheshire West and Chester Council, said: "Our libraries teams have really missed their customers over the last few months and while they've been doing lots of fun events online to keep in touch, are looking forward to welcoming people back.

"However, coronavirus hasn't gone away and we need to be careful and cautious in our approach to reopening facilities.

"We look forward to welcoming visitors again but ask that during the ongoing pandemic customers try to spend the minimum time possible inside our buildings to avoid the risk of spreading the virus.

"And, of course, please don't visit if you have any symptoms."

Winsford Library will be open from 10am to 1pm and from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays.

It will also be open from 2pm to 6pm on Mondays and Thursdays, from 10am to 1pm on Saturdays and closed on Sundays.

Meanwhile, a number of library services have moved online, including this year's Summer Reading Challenge, which is based on the 'Silly Squad' theme.

The annual event launched on Friday and will run until September, with children having the chance to win a £20 book token for doing a book recommendation, writing a short story, doing a silly drawing or sharing a positive lockdown memory.

Find out more at cheshirewestandchester.gov.uk/read