'First' library moves into post office in Ashburton, Devon

Ashburton Post Office will share its premises with the town's library

The "first major" library to move into a post office in England has opened its doors in Devon.

The owners of Ashburton Post Office volunteered to house the library and its 7,000 books after it faced closure because of budget cuts.

Devon County Council has a budget of more than £500m but is aiming to save £110m by 2017.

Previously the town library was open 18 hours a week, but will now open 54 hours.

Stuart Rogers, who run the post office, said: "We have a modern post office that's fit for the future.

"We're proud to welcome Ashburton library into the premises and we're proud to welcome new and old customers back into what is a very different post office."

Staff from the council still run the library with a team of volunteers helping the service.

Roger Croad, the council's cabinet member responsible for the library service, said: "I am pleased that by working together we have ensured these two key local services continue to thrive and develop despite the current financial challenges.

"This project in Ashburton has not only met local needs and given residents a greater role in providing for their community, but their ideas could also offer solutions that can be adopted elsewhere in Devon."

In Manchester, a mini-library, with 200 books, opened recently at a post office branch.