COUNCIL bosses say a multi-million pound injection into Hampshire’s libraries has paid off.

Discovery centres, including the new one in Winchester, are being cited as one of the main reasons for the rise.

Hampshire County Council says visits to its libraries are up by 6.8 per cent, meaning an annual increase of 6.7 million people to 7.1 million.

Its two new discovery centres in Winchester and Gosport, which aim to be the next generation of libraries, are seen as one of the main factors.

The venue in Winchester, which reopened in November 2007 after an extensive £7m refit, saw a dramatic rise in visitors.

More than 250,000 people came through its doors in Jewry Street in its first six months, a jump of 68 per cent on the same period in 2005/06.

Along with books, the discovery centres also have exhibition spaces, free Internet access, coffee shops and performance areas.

Exhibitions at the Winchester discovery centre have included displays on local history, along with artwork inspired by butterflies.

Concerts have included an acoustic performance by John Power, former frontman of guitar groups Cast and The Las.

Hampshire County Council says the rise in visitors is bucking the national trend. Libraries in general are seeing a fall in numbers using them.