Volunteers pledge to keep deliveries going for dozens of Atherstone's sick and disabled people already in 'self-isolation'

Unsung heroes have promised to battle on through the coronavirus outbreak to provide a "lifeline from isolation" to more than 30 people in Atherstone and district suffering ill health or disability.

Books on Wheels' services will keep up their routine of deliveries of reading and other materials for clients who, for whatever reason, cannot get to their local library.

Volunteers offer so much more than books, audio books, films and music in their regular home visits to people whose mobility and social interaction are limited, says Atherstone Library and Information Centre.

It's a useful check on the safety and well-being of people living in the community, Home Library Service lead Steve Merriott said.

However, while the service caters for 31 people in Atherstone, Mancetter, Grendon, Polesworth and Dordon, he added: "We can't take on any more.

"Our criteria is such that we deal only with those who have long-term ill-health or a disability.

"But if someone in the family is able to get the reading material for them, then unfortunately we cannot help."

Meanwhile, Warwickshire's chief librarian Ayub Khan told Nub News that signing up for the free service that provides eBooks, eAudiobooks, e-newspapers and e-magazines might be just the fillip for those having to deal with a period of enforced self-isolation.

"It's one way to work through your reading list," he said.

"People are going to be in home for a long time, so what a good way of using that time," added Mr Khan.

The BorrowBox app allows you to have eBooks and eAudiobooks free from your library.

"There's enough to read for a lifetime, but hopefully it will be only 14 days at the worst," he said.

The advice comes as Atherstone's library has announced all its events are cancelled until further due to concerns with Covid-19.

A statement reads: "We apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and we will endeavour to give updates as to when they will resume."