THE international language of reading is crossing 11,000 miles to bring together two competing nations in the Commonwealth Games.

Bolton Central Library decided to establish its own special reading link with New Zealand after the country was joined with Bolton for the Games.

Readers of all ages are being invited to share their favourite books with New Zealanders.

To take part, readers can fill in a form at their local library giving details of their favourite book. These forms will be sent to Christchurch in New Zealand, where staff will display the suggested books.

And library staff here will be doing exactly the same, offering the overseas selection to interested local borrowers.

"This is all in the spirit of friendship and to give everyone a chance to share book choices," explained Carol Yates from Bolton Central Library.

"It will certainly be interesting to see what our friends in New Zealand enjoy reading, and to see how it differs from what people enjoy here."