A free app that allows people to reserve library books immediately from their smartphone or tablet computer is available to download.

With a Surrey County Council library card, readers can scan a book’s barcode and instantly see if and where it is in stock.

Using the same app they can then reserve the book from their device.

Helyn Clack, Surrey Council’s cabinet member for community services, said: “There is a generation of young people growing up for whom it is second nature to make apps work for their lifestyle.

“In Surrey, we’re embracing technology to cater for these changing demands, showing our commitment to our libraries.”

People using the app can also download more than 70 magazines free of charge, including The Economist, TV Times and Cosmopolitan, as well as any of Surrey’s 2,300 e-books.

The app is available for both Apple and Android devices.