North Devon library book returned after 50 years

The book tells a Huckleberry Finn-style story of adventure, staff say

A children's book has been returned to a library in north Devon 49 years and six months after it was due.

The slightly musty copy of the Boy and the River by Henri Bosco was found in the hallway outside Torrington Library by a volunteer.

Library supervisor Kate Cooper said she thought it was left by somebody too afraid to face the fine.

She said: "We don't fine for children's books anymore, but it would be about £3,600.

"We are obviously not expecting anyone to pay us that sort of money."

The book was checked out of the library before the computerised system was introduced.

The book itself was not worth a lot of money - the team at Torrington Library valued it at about £30 - but it was historically significant, they said.

There are three other books by the same author in the Exeter Library archive, where this book is headed.

Ms Cooper said: "I think it would be nice for it to go and join the others at the archive for safe keeping."