BOOK lovers can watch rare reads restored before their very eyes this week.

Each year, Caroline Bendix, a National Trust conservation adviser, assesses and repairs the historic books at Townend house Library in Troutbeck Bridge, near Windermere.

But this year, for the first time ever, members of the public can see her in action.

“It's fantastic to have Caroline working here while the house is open,” said Emma Wright, custodian at Townend. “Our visitors will be able to see the work she is doing and ask questions about it.”

One of the top three National Trust libraries in the country, Townend contains more than 2,000 books, dating from 1555 to the 1940.

Among the important collection are almost 50 books published before 1801, which are entirely unique and have not survived anywhere else in the world.