FACILITIES fit for the 21st century will be created at Wisbech Library after it scooped a lottery grant of almost £2million. It is the biggest grant awarded in the East of England by the Big Lottery Fund to revamp library facilities. The grant was secured

FACILITIES fit for the 21st century will be created at Wisbech Library after it scooped a lottery grant of almost £2million.

It is the biggest grant awarded in the East of England by the Big Lottery Fund to revamp library facilities.

The grant was secured by Cambridgeshire County Council, which is also finding £500,000 to go towards the £2.5million refurbishment.

Councillor Martin Curtis, county council cabinet member for universal services, said: "We have spent a lot of time talking to people in Wisbech about the improvements they want for their library. It's very much thanks to them that the bid to the Big Lottery Fund has been successful."

The library, in Ely Place, is the third busiest in Cambridgeshire but library, information and archive staff have been struggling to meet demand in the current accommodation.

Plans include extending and remodelling the current library at ground and first floor level, to include a LearnDirect learning centre and community meeting room. New toilets and a lift will also be built, and computer systems will be upgraded.

Detailed plans will now be drawn up and, subject to planning consent and further fund raising, work will start late next year.

Councillor Roger Green, leader of Wisbech Town Council, said: "This is great news for the people of Wisbech. The library is very well used and has outgrown its current premises. It is a very busy facility and it is rather crammed.

"It's wonderful for people of all ages and it is very pleasing to see more investment coming to Wisbech.