Bookmarks in returned library books go on display

Many of the bookmarks have been in the library for years, staff said

A library has collected dozens of bookmarks left inside returned books to create a Museum of Lost Bookmarks.

Staff at South Molton Library, in Devon, have created the wall display.

Emma Ward, library assistant, said: "We think we will need a bit more room for it to grow as there are always more bookmarks coming into the library.

"We'll do what we can to reunite them with people but if not, we will honour them by putting them on display," she said.

Aurelia, 15, (left) helped the team find the bookmarks, even finding one of her own between the pages of a book she had read

Alice Haynes, library supervisor, said bookmarks came in all forms and included "receipts, slips of paper, shopping lists, children's creations, photos, postcards, people really will use anything to mark their place in a book".

Ms Ward said "my favourite bookmark would be the jigsaw one, we love a jigsaw here in the library".

Ms Haynes said her best was a scrap of paper that said "still chainsawing, still love you, still no puppy".

"I'd really love to know the story behind that one but it's never been claimed or reunited," she added.