Want to save the world from alien invasion? Raid an ancient Egyptian tomb? Win the Monaco Grand Prix perhaps? Even slot away the winner at the World Cup?

Well there's only one place to go… your local library.

Because now young people in Wigan can get the very latest in gaming action right in the heart of the borough's bookshelves.

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust (WLCT) has been at the forefront of modernising the library service to end the stereotype of the stuffy, subdued reading room where all you can say is 'Shhh!'

First there was poetry and live performance, then came internet access and the delights of the world wide web. Now the Library Service has opened the door to the gaming generation by giving kids the chance to book some time on a state-of-the-art console in one of 10 libraries across the borough.

Working with the Local Education Authority, WLCT first asked pupils from four of the borough's high schools what they'd like to see in their local libraries. Young people said they would use the library more if they could get to play games while they were there.

The idea was trailed for a year at Golborne Library before being rolled out to other libraries including Wigan Library and Wigan Children's Library at The Wiend in the town centre.

Wiend Centre Manager Andrew Pickup said: "We thought this was a really good idea but at first we were concerned about the potential for disruption to other library users.

"People can get excited when they are playing computer games and we were worried about the noise it may generate."

He added: "We tried it out for a year at Golborne and it has worked really well. The consoles are in the same place as the computers and children can book them for half an hour at a time.

"In fact the only problem we had was that we had more young people wanting to book it than space available."

Now library staff will make the consoles even more appealing by giving them a street-style makeover courtesy of professional graffiti artist Scott Winstanley. Scott will be spraying some of the now-grey game boxes with his unique brand of urban art at The Wiend on Monday July 5 and Tuesday July 6.

Andrew added: "They are all about fun so we want to make them as attractive to the young people as possible."

While Wigan Council's Cabinet Member for Culture, Cllr Brian Baldwin said: "We want people to know the image of the library has changed. It is still the best and biggest source of books and resources you'll find in the borough but it's much more and it’s all waiting to be discovered. The consoles are one way of getting children interested and into the libraries. Once they're in hopefully they will get involved in the other things we have to offer."

Notes to Editors

For more information contact The Wiend Children's Centre Manager Andrew Pickup on 01942 828310.