A nine-year-old schoolgirl won one of the most sought after toys this Christmas after renewing her library membership.

Abby Nourse, of Humes Avenue, Hanwell, scooped her prize of a Nintendo Wii console and games just days before Christmas. Existing members who had not borrowed an item since the end of March and resumed their membership last month were entered into the draw. New members who borrowed a book or any other item were also entered.

Abby, who borrowed a book from Hanwell library, said: “I didn’t even know I had entered, it was brilliant when we found out, I almost didn’t believe it.

“It was a really nice surprise and the games that came with it are great. I’ve had lots of fun using it with my younger brother and it’s quite good exercise too as there is lots of moving about involved when you’re playing.”

The borough’s libraries welcomed more than 4,500 new users from October to December. During December a total of 858 new users joined the library, up nearly seven per cent on 2006.

Councillor Nigel Sumner, Cabinet Member for Health and Community Well Being, said: “It’s encouraging to find so many more people joining our libraries over the last few months, and I hope it continues. I’m glad Abby and her family are enjoying their prize, and I hope we will see more families making use of the facilities.”