A pioneering new scheme encouraging residents to swap books with their neighbours has been unveiled.

The “Big Society Library” will enable people to share their favourite books, track down hard to get publications and clear much-needed space on their shelves.

A ratings system will be put in place, similar to eBay’s feedback facility, so people can judge the books they read and recommend their favourites.

The scheme is being launched in the Sutton, one of the test bed areas for David Cameron’s Big Society vision.

Councillor Sean Brennan, leader of Sutton Council, said: “This is a wonderful example of the Big Society in action.

“Our library service is one of the best in the country but there are many books that even we can’t stock. For example, somebody may want to borrow a very specialist architectural book.

“It wouldn’t be a good use of taxpayers’ money for us to stock it as it would only be taken out once a year. But if somebody in the community had a copy, they could lend it from their own collection.”

The scheme is set to start in January, for more information visit http://suttonopenlibrary.wordpress.com