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 £2,000 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)