BERKELEY’S community-run library celebrated its new lease of life at its official opening.

Charles Berkeley officially opened the library on Saturday, December 15 at 12pm.

Berkeley Books had been open since Tuesday, November 6, when volunteers took over the premises from the county council.

The library was one of seven libraries in Gloucestershire that ceased to be run by the county council’s library service as part of the authority’s cost saving plan.

Residents turned out to admire the refurbishment and congratulate the team of volunteers on their achievements.

John Stanton, chairman of the Berkeley Community Library Committee, said: "We had a great turnout and all I spoke to were pleased with the event.

"They were especially delighted with the improvements made to the library by the volunteers."

A competition to design a new logo for the library had been running over the past weeks.

Lucy Pullin, a pupil at Berkeley Primary School, was announced the winner and was presented with a book token as a prize by Charles Berkeley.

MP for Stroud Neil Carmichael praised the library launch.

"I think what the community has done here is excellent," he said. "They have come together and used their expertise to create a valuable asset."

He added that the county council was providing support to help make community-run libraries a success, including a continuing grant, access to books and computers and support from professional librarians.