A fierce battle of the bookmarks was today raging at Wickford and Billericay libraries - with each striving to make the longest!

Staff in each have urged locals to pick up their pens and get creating as part of a record-breaking attempt.

Billericay library's bookmark - made up of lots of individual entries added together - stands at 58 metres.

Meanwhile Wickford's is around 50 metres long - but staff admit to having a few dirty tricks up their sleeves.

Manager Jo Cullen said: "Billericay had a school make bookmarks which gave them a really big head start.

"We've had mostly individual entries, but I'm urging schools and playgroups to take part in the last week of the competition!"

Despite Billericay's lead, Wickford is confident it can win the battle. Jo said: "I'm determined to win and I think we stand a good chance.

"The only rules are that bookmarks made must be usable in a book - but then you do get big books.

"Some people have offered to draw one on a roll of wallpaper, but unfortunately that wouldn't fit in a book."

Meanwhile Billericay is equally as determined to win - despite admitting it may have had a rather unfair advantage in the beginning.

Marilyn Slater said: "Our children's librarian has direct contact with the schools so I guess we did have a helping hand.

"We've got no dirty tricks planned though - this is friendly rivalry and Wickford library isn't our enemy.

"However, we'll certainly be putting our thinking caps on to see if we can generate some more bookmarks."

The closing date for entries is Saturday and each library's bookmark will be carefully measured two days later.

Then they will be added to others being produced at libraries all over the county in the hope of breaking the world record for the biggest bookmark ever.

The event is being held to celebrate World Book Day.

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