Swanage Library re-opens tomorrow following a six month, £424,000 refurbishment.

The news will be welcomed by many residents, who have spent a winter of discontent queuing at a temporary mobile library on Shore Road.

Dorset County Council closed the High Street library building in December last year, so workers could build a small ground floor extension and change the internal layout.

The library is now disabled-friendly, with a new disabled toilet and baby change facilities.

There is also a larger children and young persons area on the ground floor, more public computers and new self-service facilities.

County council community services head Hilary Cox, said: “Library staff are looking forward to welcoming both regular and new users.

“We hope lots of local residents will come along to the open day, not only to enjoy the activities but to see the library’s excellent new facilities.”

Earlier this year county library chiefs faced some criticism from residents, who were forced to queue in the cold to get into the mobile facility.

Next month local poet Elvis McGonagall, who has featured on Radio 4 and played the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, will attend the library’s official opening.

Cllr Bill Trite, county council member for Swanage and the town’s mayor, said: “Swanage’s library is very important to the town and much appreciated by the townsfolk.

“I’m very pleased the new-look library with these additional facilities is now ready for business. Such significant improvements will, I hope, attract new members as well as benefiting regular users.”