A YOUNG bookworm was at the centre of an embarrassing chapter for Kidderminster Library when she was told one of her books was overdue - by 30 years!

Emily Toogood's family was stunned when a reminder letter dropped on their doormat stating that the brand new book was due back on September 2, 1970.

Despite being the first person to borrow the £1.50 tome - which the library only bought in April - the four-year-old was told it had been due back more than a quarter of a century before she was born.

Her mother Tracey said: "It was the first time Emily had used the library. We were slightly annoyed about the letter, but we can definitely see the funny side."

Librarian Ron Hoggarth blamed the error on a technical fault involving the dreaded "millennium bug".

"It's impossible to say how many of these letters went out, but most people who have contacted us have taken it in good heart," he added.

l Four-year-old Emily is pictured with Topsy and Tim, the book she was told was 30 years overdue.