LIBRARY fines will be scrapped from July 1 in an attempt to increase the number of books being borrowed.

Books loaned from the town’s libraries are down by almost a third since 2012-13 and the council’s ruling cabinet members, who approved the scheme on Wednesday, believe scrapping fines could help encourage more people to use the service.

Fines currently stand at 10p per day, with a maximum of £5.20 being issued, but it is thought that people fail to return books when they find themselves in a position where they can’t afford the payment.