READERS in Bentham will be taking a leaf out of a new book when the town's library closes its doors and moves to a new site.

The doors of the Robin Lane branch will close for the last time on Monday, May 8, at 5pm.

And the new Bentham Community Library will open at Pioneer Projects, Looking Well Studios, King Street, High Bentham, at 10am on Wednesday, 17 May.

North Yorkshire County Council library service chiefs have praised the new premises are "bright and vibrant", while facilities will include four computers for customers and free wi-fi. More than £10,000 has been spent on new books.

The move has been supported by the Friends of Bentham Library (FoBL), which was formed to campaign to keep a library in the town.

The group's chairwoman, Cllr Linda Brockbank, said: "Moving the library into Pioneer Projects will ensure the future of the service in Bentham and has our full support. Our volunteers have done a magnificent job for nearly five years in supporting North Yorkshire County Council to keep the library open and, although FoBL volunteers will become Pioneer Projects’ volunteers, FoBL will continue as an advocacy and fundraising group in support of the new community library.”

Customers will be able to borrow extra books to see them through the closure period and some services will be available online, including renewals. Overdue charges will not apply for the duration of the closure. For enquiries during the closure period, May 9 to May 16, call 01609 534548. Customers have access to e-books, e-magazines and online reference resources 24 hours a day throughout the closure period at www.northyorks.gov.uk/libraries.