The many borrowers

Catherine Cookson has finally lost her place at the top of Britain's library lending charts.

After 17 years the Dame has been supplanted by award-winning children's writer Jacqueline Wilson. Wilson, 58, whose works include The Illustrated Mum and The Story Of Tracey Beaker, clocked up more than two million loans last year - according to Public Lending Right, which gives authors the legal right to government money for the loan of their books.

Cookson - who died in 1998 aged 91, after publishing more than 100 books - made fourth place. Danielle Steel was second, followed by romantic fiction writer Josephine Cox.

Dr Jim Parker, Public Lending Right's registrar, said: "This is the first time since our records began that we have had a new author replacing Cookson at number one."

"Having an eminent children's author such as Jacqueline Wilson at number one surely reflects the passion of young readers and the vibrancy of the public library service for an emerging generation."

Wilson, who has sold more than 12 million copies of her books in Britain alone, was "totally delighted". She said: "Every author is thrilled to know their books are selling but I know I share with many authors an almost greater thrill when your books are borrowed from libraries.

"My thanks go to the public library service and librarians everywhere who work so hard to help ensure that everyone has the opportunity to enjoy books and reading."

Harry Potter And The Chamber Of Secrets was most-borrowed children's book last year, while Harry Potter And The Prison Of Azkaban was second - though the boy wizard's creator JK Rowling was only the 42nd most-borrowed author.