VILLAGERS will officially take over the books at Mitcheldean library today.

From this date it will be run as a community co-operative serving Longhope, Mitcheldean, Drybrook and Ruardean.

Customers will still be able to use their library cards but there will be added activities such as computing classes run by Gloucestershire College.

Twenty residents have already had a day's training and are now "job shadowing" County librarians to learn more.

There is a "Bring and Share" supper in the library from 7pm on Wednesday, September 19 when everyone is welcome to come along and find out more.

Andrew Maliphant, the chair of the new co-operative said: "We are rolling up our sleeves and making sure the library stays forever.

"There's a great buzz in developing new services with the College and with Barnardos, and there are lots of ways people can get involved, from cataloguing new books to organizing special events and working with young people."