THE first stage of the Crediton Library Community Garden Project is complete with the decking laid and safety fence in place.

The area now provides a safe, attractive outdoor space for the community which is even more vital in light of the pandemic.

Crediton Library is currently offering Choose and Collect services by appointment.

Sue Lee, Crediton Library Supervisor said: “We look forward to people being able to use the decked outdoor area in the future when circumstances allow. There has been amazing support for the project from the community.”

Sue expressed her thanks to all who have donated to the project: The Friends of Crediton Library, Devon County Council Invest in Devon, Crediton Town Council, Co-op Local Causes, The League of Friends of Crediton Hospital and its Community Patients, Crediton and District Lions Club, Gregory Distribution Ltd, Crediton Library users and anonymous donors.

Paul Vincent, Chair of the Friends of Crediton Library, said: "The new garden area has the potential to transform the experience of very many users of the library.

"There will be few who have experienced a library with a dedicated outdoor space to sit and read, chat, work on our laptops, and even enjoy a cup of tea. Now this has been achieved in Crediton.

"From the new decking, visitors will also have a fine south-facing view across Newcombes Meadow, and so can enjoy the park at the same time. The Friends of Crediton Library and many others will surely congratulate Sue Lee, Library Supervisor, on her vision and efforts to bring this project to fruition."

The next stage is for Crediton Library and the Friends of Crediton Library to fundraise for an accessible low-threshold replacement patio door, planters and planting.

If you would like to make a donation and/or be involved in this, please get in touch with the Library.

Staff and volunteers look forward to welcoming you to Crediton Library Community Garden very soon.

Crediton Library is managed by Libraries Unlimited, the charity responsible for running Devon and Torbay Libraries.

For further information and full contact details please visit the web page: www.devonlibraries.org.uk/web/arena/creditonlibrary .

You can also find the library on Facebook: www.facebook.com/CreditonLibrary .