Bradford's cash-strapped libraries have chopped romantic novels from their shopping list.

A libraries' chief has announced they no longer need to buy them - because hundreds are being handed in for the shelves by the public.

Misty-eyed readers of favourites, including Mills & Boon, decide the books are too good to get rid of once they have turned the last page to the happy ending.

Instead they are donating them to their local libraries where other people can borrow and enjoy them.

In the past year 5,000 books have been given to the libraries service - and a large proportion have been romances.

The district's head of libraries, archives and information service Ian Watson said: "So many romances are being donated we've been able to stop buying them.

"Romantic fiction account for about five per cent of the stock. The books are heavily used, not so much by Bradford central library but the local branches."

The Council's executive member for the environment, Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, said: "It's always pleasing to hear of people enjoying the libraries, whatever the service. But personally I prefer romance in real life."

The boost from people who love to read about lovers has been highlighted as the service struggles through a crisis mainly sparked by its limited stock.

The district's libraries are in the bottom quarter of national league tables in terms of staffing and spending on books and users.

Now user numbers are dropping because of limited book stocks and officers have called for radical overhaul to help the libraries meet the needs of the 21st century.

In the past the service has not been a Council priority and officers have recommended it should be allocated £65,000 from next year to replace the computer hardware and receive funding for extra books.

Mills & Boon has 50 million readers across the world and 3.2 million readers in Britain, with 13 million books sold in this country each year. The books are written by 1,500 authors - including 200 in Britain.

Karen Greensmith, of Shipley Library, is pictured with a donated Mills and Boon novel.