Bookworms are getting lost in literature as overdue library books notch up £5,000 in fines.

There are 1,731 overdue books in Kingston’s libraries, according to figures revealed under the Freedom of Information Act.

Based on the £7.60 maximum fine per book imposed by Kingston libraries and the fact there are 659 books overdue for three months or longer, total overdue charges are about £5,000.

Councillor Rolson Davies, executive member for finance, said: “This is money that could be used to buy specialised books for people with disabilities, so we would encourage anyone to return the books and pay the fine.”

The figures also revealed the top three most popular library books in Kingston were all written by women: The Slap by Australian author Christos Tsiolkas, The Swimmer by Roma Tearne and Room written by Emma Donoghue.

One elusive borrower is so engrossed in Alan Ahlberg’s The Pet Shop, a book that spawned the popular 90s kids show Funny Bones, that they have had it on loan from Surbiton library since July 2010.

Adam Moore, neighbourhood manager at New Malden and Coombe library, said: “Sometimes we get books popped in the letterbox that have been overdue for years and years.

“It would be nice to think that it is a child slowly beavering away reading this very wonderful book.

“Maybe they love the book so much that have read it 100s and 100s of times.”

Also popular are military-themed novels by thriller writers Stephen Leather and Jack Child, who went to the same school as Harry Potter creator J K Rowling.

Mr Moore said: “Many of the books on the top 10 list have been turned into a TV shows or a film which often helps to spark people’s interest.”

Money for new library books was halved in April as the council reduced the service to its minimum legal requirements.