CLASSICAL music lovers are the tardiest when returning their borrowings to Lincolnshire's libraries.

That's according to new figures revealed to the Echo, which show that seven of the top ten most fined for items in the last year were orchestral CDs - with Requiem Mass by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart topping the list.

The other three were DVDs of Hollywood films - with the total penalties for the shortlist totalling over £1,500.

Simon Hollingworth, manager of the Drill Hall, on Free School Lane, said it was really encouraging that so many classical CDs were being taken out and listened to - even if they were not being returned to the library in a particularly timely fashion.

"I've always known Lincolnshire is cultured," he said, "So the idea that enough classical cds are being borrowed to allow them to be returned late on a regular basis is not a surprise.

"Many people assume that classical music isn't for them.

"But this shows that there is a demand for this sort of music to be available.

"And it's really encouraging that so many classical CDs are being taken out and listened to - even if the people who are, are getting fined for keeping them too long."