A community library has opened in Penwortham, marking a new chapter for the Priory Lane Community Centre.

Volunteers and members of Penwortham Town Council have worked tirelessly for more than two years to see their vision for the drop in library and coffee bar come to fruition.

It is an exciting development for the centre which already houses amateur dramatics, dance and toddler groups.

The building was previously owned by Lancashire County Council but when the town council learned it was closing down, along with the library in Liverpool Road, they set about trying to procure the building.

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Marie Curran, Democratic Manager for Penwortham Town Council, said: “It took us a long time to get the building – there was a lot involved but we got there.

“We’ve got plans for upgrades to the place but it is great to see the library come together like this.”

The Community Library will be open every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 10am till 4pm.

It is free to join and borrow books, and there is a coffee bar, laptops and printing facilities available.

Sam Jones, Events Manager, said: “The volunteers have worked so hard, collecting books and sorting them into genres.

“It is such a good thing for the community. It’s not all about the books – it’s a place people can meet up, pop in for a coffee or a chat, meet up with their children or just come in to use the computers.

“It isn’t like a traditional library – more of a hub for the community.”

Councillor Carol Woolridge, Chairperson of the Community Centre, welcomed visitors with a selection of her own books at the official opening on Tuesday.

As an avid reader, she said: “I am so proud of this. I want to thank Steve Caswell, the town manager, in his absence, for securing all this for us.

“Marie has had all the hard, dirty jobs – moving books and clearing out the building, and Sam has pulled it all together.

“We have had Duke of Edinburgh students helping us and all the volunteers.

“That is just a few of the people who have made this happen.”

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