PRAISING the way local people “had grasped the nettle” to do something to replace the Mobile Library service after it had been axed by Devon County Council, was local county council member, Cllr Frank Letch.

He had declared the new library in Hittisleigh Village Hall officially open.

More than 100 books have been donated and the four book shelves bought through £300 from Devon County Council via Cllr Letch’s Locality Budget allocation.

The free Library is open on market days on a Saturday, at the Tea and Chat afternoons on the last Tuesday in the month, at the craft afternoons on the third Wednesday of each month as well as at Parish Council meetings.

Cllr Letch said the new Library might lead to a Book Club being formed and encourage children “to come off their mobiles”.

He said he “took his hat off” to the local people who had worked to set up the Library, adding that they were a role model for other small villages.