A BRAND-new library has opened in Poole, except this one isn’t for books; it’s for watersports equipment.

Watersports Library, based in Hamworthy, allows people to borrow and share watersports kit through an online website and calendar.

It has been started by Baptist minister Rev John Good who felt that the price of watersports was prohibitive to those on lower incomes.

John said: “I was meeting people in Hamworthy who were saying to me that they couldn’t afford to get out on the water, which was strange because there were so many others who had kayaks, paddleboards and even boats hanging around not being used for much of the year.

“I wondered if there was a way in which everyone could have access to the benefits of spending more time outside with nature.

“The sharing economy has grown widely in the UK in the last decade. Other libraries of things have demonstrated the power of sharing to strengthen communities, lower the carbon footprint and equalise the rich and poor.”

In Frome, a council report showed that collectively, sharing possessions had saved the members £68,000 in one year.

The watersports library is hoping to lead the way in terms of being a community owned water enterprise, with plans of developing hubs across the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area.

An annual fee of £15 will allow customers to use an unlimited amount of equipment but late returns and damage to the items may result in addition fines.

Members can either donate equipment to the library or keep possession of items while making them available for others to use.

Watersports Library is due to host a launch event on Friday March 20 at Hamworthy Liberal Club.

To find out more info, go to www.watersportslibrary.com.