Toyota tops reliability rankings

Toyota has come top of a survey gauging the dependability of cars in the US.

The study of vehicles sold as new in 2003 by researchers JD Power found that cars bearing Toyota's Lexus marque caused fewest problems to their owners.

Almost 50,000 owners of cars and trucks were quizzed for the survey with owners reporting an average of 227 problems per 100 vehicles.

Wind noise and loud brakes were the most common faults. Land Rover had the most problems reported.

When individual models were examined, luxury cars had the fewest number of faults with the Toyota Lexus and Ford Mercury topping the rankings.

Fewer faults

All problems with cars were given equal weight by the survey.

Top performers in a string of categories included the Honda Civic as best compact car, the Honda 2000 as top compact premium sporty car and the Toyota Lexus LS 430 as best large premium car.

The average number of faults was 227 per 100 cars – ten fewer than a year ago.

"The voice of the consumer is getting heard by the manufacturers," said JD Power spokesman Neil Oddes.

"They are understanding what's getting replaced, what's going wrong, and then they're taking that information and designing better products."

Libraries make their voices heard

A campaign has been launched to overturn the traditional image of libraries as quiet, dusty places which stock only historical romances.

The "Something to Shout About" campaign aims to encourage more people to use libraries.

Grants of £2.5m will also be available to modernise buildings and provide services such as wi-fi.

More than a quarter of the Welsh population visit libraries – the highest proportion in the UK.

But many library buildings are said to be in a poor condition.

The campaign was launched by TV presenter Sarra Elgan and Culture Minister Alun Pugh, who read to a group of under-fives at the Whiterose Information Resource Centre in New Tredegar.

Mr Pugh said: "Libraries offer so much more these days but too many people are put off by the outdated image of libraries or the depressing condition of some.

"We want to increase access to our libraries and this is why I've made money available to create libraries fit for the twenty-first century."

Libraries will be able to apply for grants to refurbish buildings, provide new services such as wi-fi and upgrade disabled facilities.

Money is also available to give more library users access to services like online book catalogues.

The Welsh Assembly Government said there was clear evidence that upgrading libraries could bring a dramatic increase in visitors, citing Oystermouth Library in Swansea, which re-opened in 2005 after an £80,000 facelift.

Visits increased by 31% in the first year, books issued by 24% and books issued to children under five more than doubled.