A CITY-WIDE network of bookswap libraries is starting to take shape across Brighton and Hove.

The Big Beach Cafe in Hove Lagoon is the latest location to boast a Book Swap Box, where patrons can take any reading material they like for free as long as they replace the tome they choose with one of their own.

The idea is the brainchild of the organisers of City Reads, the Brighton-based literacy charity, and it is hoped that dozens more may soon pop up at locations across the city.

Cafes including Pavilion Gardens Cafe and Cascade Creative in Baker Street have already installed the handmade wood-and-glass cabinets.

Big Beach waitress Stella Dwyer, 18, told The Argus: “People have already been using it.

“We only got it on Friday and I’ve heard people saying great things.

“All the staff here love it. When I heard about it I was pleasantly surprised - it’s such a good idea but I’ve never seen it anywhere else.

“It’s a good thing for Brighton to have.”

City Reads boss Sarah Hutchings explained that later today a workshop in East Brighton will be putting the finishing touches to three further boxes to add to the five already dotted around the city.

She said: “It’s going really well, and what’s been lovely is that I keep checking to see if the same books are in them.

“If they were it would mean no movement.. But every time I check there are different books there so people are definitely using them.”

Brighton-based building and carpentry firm Nutshell is manufacturing the boxes for City Reads and the charity is seeking sponsorship for additional locations.

Sarah said: “We now have eight cabinets made, and there are five installed around the city.

“As well as the cafes we have one at the First Base drop-in centre for rough sleepers, and another at Brighton and Hove Housing Trust .

“It’s one of those things where we’ll keep adding to it. We’ll see how we’re getting on with these ones and I think it will grow and grow.

“I think a lot of people have been surprised by how much they are being used.

“We’ve had two local authors involved with their books as well. William Shaw the crime writer and Elly Griffiths, and their publisher Quercus has sponsored two boxes and filled them with their books to start.

“It would be lovely to keep adding them, it’s really a lovely thing.”

For more details go to www.cityreads.co.uk or search City Reads Brighton on facebook.