A woman who kept an overdue library book for more than half a century has finally returned it 56 years later.
Lesley Harrison, 70, was just 14 when she borrowed Ich Lerne Deutsch while studying for a German O-Level at Whitley Bay Grammar School in 1966.
It should have been handed back within 21 days to avoid a fine of 3d (three pence) per week.
Mrs Harrison might have owed more than ยฃ2,000 had North Tyneside Council not abolished late return fees last year.
The former civil servant, who once considered becoming a librarian, took out the textbook from Whitley Bay library in April 1966 – just weeks before England’s World Cup win.
She returned it to Killingworth Library in December after learning that late charges had been scrapped.
“When I heard about the amnesty, I thought ‘I’m sure I’ve got an old book lying around somewhere,’ and I know the library staff were shocked and amused when I brought it in,” said Mrs Harrison, from Shiremoor.
“I knew I hadn’t taken the book back and when I moved out of my parents’ house, I thought I wouldn’t be able to afford the fine, so it stayed in a drawer.
“We moved around a lot, but it always came with me.
“I got married in ’74 and we moved away,” she added.
“It’s still in good condition though. I do look after my books.”
Mrs Harrison has an otherwise unblemished book-borrowing record and has never been late returning a book since she returned to North Tyneside from Chester-Le-Street, County Durham. (BBC)