AN idea which ended up transforming an old bus shelter in Watchet into a cosy venue for book lovers of all ages saw local people and dignitaries gather for its official launch last Thursday.

The ribbon was cut by Watchet Town Councillor Cosmo Johnson, who has been closely involved with the Book Stop project, and a group of around 30 people were on hand to join in the celebration.

They included members of the town’s Coastal Communities Team, councillors including Watchet mayor Cllr John Irven and Cllr Federica Smith-Roberts, leader of Somerset West and Taunton Council, town crier David Milton and those involved in making the project happen.

“It was very jolly and the Book Stop is a great asset to the town. Everyone involved is very pleased,” said Cllr Johnson, who worked on the project with members of Watchet Connect, the town-wide volunteering group that supports local people and projects as part of the Coastal Communities Team.

He said the idea came about after people wanted to rebuild and renew the old bus shelter, a formerly derelict structure near the town’s boat museum.

Meetings were held and people decided to make it into an “‘honesty library”, where people can take books along, sit and read, chat, or borrow books and take them away.

The building was spruced up, glazed, bookshelves and a solar light on the roof as well as cushions added - and the Book Stop, which got going in September, has proved tremendously popular.

“It is used enormously and has been a huge success,” said Cosmo.

“People of all ages come, and we added another bookcase for children, because there were so many of their books, they were filling up the benches.”

He said all the labour for the Book Stop had been carried out by volunteers, and a small grant given to the Coastal Communities Team from the National Lottery Community Fund was used for materials.