A ONE day only fines amnesty for library users across Cambridgeshire has been welcomed by a Fenland councillor who heads a council library committee. Councillor Fred Yeulett described the amnesty - planned for October 7- as a fantastic idea and probably

A ONE day only fines amnesty for library users across Cambridgeshire has been welcomed by a Fenland councillor who heads a council library committee.

Councillor Fred Yeulett described the amnesty - planned for October 7- as "a fantastic idea and probably one which is overdue."

The amnesty is just part of a customer appreciation day and people with overdue charges will be able to wipe the slate clean.

The council says a range of other initiatives has been drawn up to show how much library users are valued by the council.

Current customers and those who join the on the day will also be entitled to:

· a free voucher for either a free request or free DVD, Video or CD hire, valid until Christmas

· a free soft drink courtesy of Britvic (subject to availability)

Lesley Noblett, head of libraries, archives and information service, said: "The day is the first of its kind for the library service, and staff will be working hard to ensure that customers know how valued they are.

"The free voucher should encourage customers to use the request system, where any book, DVD, Video or CD held within the county library system can be requested, completely free of charge, and customers can take the opportunity to enjoy a soft drink in any of the 32 static libraries around Cambridgeshire, and a few of the libraries will even be offering tea, coffee, biscuits or cakes on the day."

The fines amnesty is designed to encourage people who are concerned that they may face charges for overdue items and have stopped using their local library as a result, to bring items back and start using the service again with a clean slate.

Cllr Yeullet, Cabinet Member for Community Learning and Adult Social Care, said: " Our library customers are very highly valued and we are pleased to take this opportunity to show them just that.

"Why not come along and enjoy all that is on offer next Saturday, you'll be surprised what's available in Cambridgeshire libraries!'