Children in Felixstowe have been making use of the newly refurbished area since the re-opening of libraries in recent months.

The new area will be officially opened by the Mayor of Felixstowe, Mark Jepson, on Saturday 11 September with all funders having been invited to see the facilities in action.

The refurbishments to the children's area were installed during lockdown after all libraries were temporarily closed.

The Felixstowe Peninsula Community Partnership provided £5,000 to the Friends of Felixstowe Library for the refurbishment.

Funding for the new area was also received from East Suffolk Council's Enabling Communities Budget, Felixstowe Town Council, Suffolk County Council Locality Budget, Suffolk Libraries and their own fundraising.

New features of the children's area include colourful furniture, new flooring, a hideaway den, shelving and storage with seaside decorations. It is intended to be enjoyed by children of all ages.

The new area also hosted the Summer Reading Challenge, which saw more than 250 children signing up.

Sarah Wilson, chair of the Friends of Felixstowe Library, said: "The Friends of Felixstowe Library have been delighted with the results of this project and we've been overwhelmed by the wonderful response to our appeal.

"We're very grateful to Felixstowe Town Council, the Felixstowe Peninsular Community Partnership, County Councillor Graham Newman, East Suffolk District Councillor Tracey Green, Suffolk Libraries, the Port Community Fund and East of England Co-Op."

Steph Merrett, Felixstowe Library manager, said: "It was really exciting to see the new facilities being installed and now being used by so many children.

"Children particularly enjoy the starlight hideaway and the beach hut reading den."

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