BIDFORD residents were joined by a top children’s author as they celebrated the opening of their community library.

Anne Fine, whose books include Flour Babies and Madame Doubtfire, opened the library and unveiled its new sign, designed by village children Jasmine Sidwell and Ruby Smith.

The library had been facing closure after Warwickshire County Council cut funding to 16 libraries. But villagers rallied round to take on the running of the library and get it reopen.

At the opening, Ms Fine said: “Libraries are the means by which anybody who is not privileged at the beginning gets their education.

You are an extremely lucky community. I applaud you from the bottom of my heart.”

Mike Gerrard, parish council chairman, said: “It is the people’s library and for as long as we can we will run it as a community.

“Right from the start it has been a community venture.

The parish council went to the public and found out what people wanted and they wanted nothing but the best – and that is what we intend to do.”

The library now has about 50 volunteers and is open on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday mornings.

Volunteer co-ordinator Pat Atkins said: “I got involved because we fought hard to get the library. When I heard it was going to close I was devastated and wanted to get involved. We want it to be more than a library, hopefully it will become a community centre and be used for activities even when the library is not open.”