A HIGH Wycombe school will soon have specialist computer equipment which will allow children to take out library books using just their thumbs.

Highworth Combined School and Nursery in Highworth Close, won a grant from Electronic Data Systems (EDS), to spend on the technology, which is a hi-tech library catalogue that can be used by even the youngest of readers.

The software package, called Micro-librarian, searches for books by title, author or a keyword, and then scans the child's thumb to identify who they are.

Books are then scanned with a bar code reader and are checked out to the child.

The process is repeated on returning the book, and is also seen as a way of monitoring childrens' use of the library.

Headteacher Graeme Kilner received the grant last week.

Barbara Nicholas, of EDS, said of Highworth's application: "I think it encourages children to read and wasn't just the teachers' decision. The PTA was involved in setting up the project too."

EDS, based in Cressex Business Park, gave the school the grant as part of their technology grant programme, which is open to most schools within a 50 mile radius to apply for.

Mr Kilner beat off competition from four other applicants, including a school from Harlow, one from Beaconsfield and another school in High Wycombe.

The £1,000 grant for the technology was given on the basis of Mr Kilner's written proposal on how he would use the system to increase students' ability to learn.