PORLOCK celebrated the community spirit of its villagers at the official opening of its new-style library last Friday.

The village now has Somerset's first volunteer-run library after a total of 27 local residents stepped up to offer their services.

Although ongoing support and help will continue to be provided by staff at Minehead Library, visitors to the Porlock outlet will be greeted by volunteers and will use a newly installed self-service kiosk.

However, users will still be able to enjoy a good selection of books, storytime sessions, community events and IT facilities.

Somerset county councillors and members of the Somerset Library Service joined villagers for the unveiling ceremony.

And youngsters from St Dubricius First School also came along to enjoy a special storytime session.

Porlock has fought to keep its public facilities since local authority cutbacks first threatened the future of some of them - including the library - more than two years ago.

Porlock Parish Council, which has been instrumental in ensuring the library doors were kept open, was one of the first councils to come forward after the county council asked local authorities and community groups to express an interest in running their local libraries.

County council cabinet member responsible for libraries Cllr David Hall said the authority had provided full training for the volunteers, as well as installing the self-service kiosk.

"I'm delighted to see the library operating with their support today and able to play a major role in the heart of Porlock's community," he said.

Parish council clerk Christine Fitzgerald said the parish council had not had to put any money into the library as yet.

But just over £2,000 had been earmarked in next year's draft budget to cover heating and IT costs, although this had yet to be approved by the full council.

The library service is expected to save a further £2,500 a year since the plan is for community volunteers to take over the cleaning of the Porlock building.

Mrs Fitzgerald said the figure in next year's budget was well within the level suggested at a public meeting in the village in May 2011 when the future of the library was first under threat.

"The public present gave overwhelming support to a rise in the precept to support and retain our local public services," she said.

Mrs Fitzgerald said the parish council wanted to promote greater use of the library and involve as many people within the community as possible.

"Our aim is very much to run the library by the community for the community and we will be asking shortly what services and events they would like us to provide."

The library service is currently undergoing a review with the aim of making £850,000 of savings over the next three years.