THERE'S a tiger loose in Darwen's children's library, and an elephant, a shark and lots more.

But none of the wild animals are scaring the youngsters.

They are woven into a large colourful carpet showing the continents and oceans in a project aimed at helping children with their world geography, although they might believe that South America is bright yellow and Australia scarlet.

The transformation of the children's library comes thanks to a £3,000 donation by the Friends of Darwen Library after the room had become tired and in need of updating.

Among the changes are new signs, a bean bag and colourful tables, chairs and seating, as well as the carpet map which, the friends group said, had proven to be a big hit with everyone, including parents.

Kate Edwards, the young people's representative on the Friends of Darwen Library, helped choose the new furniture for the children's section and said: "It is really comfortable."

Dilys Dyer, who worked on the project with Kate, said: "Most of the previous furniture had got rather tired and it was time for a new look.

"It has certainly got that now."

The Friends of Darwen Library was formed to help plug the gap left after Blackburn with Darwen Council cut funding to public libraries in response to Government budget cuts.

It has a thriving committee of 20 who meet on the second Monday of each month at 5.45pm and raises money to help with the upkeep of the library.

Through regular coffee mornings, exhibitions, published books and other fundraising initiatives, the group has bought new equipment and books for the Knott Street library, as well as paying for the new furniture and fittings in the children's library.