ALTON Town Mayor Roger Fitzer unveiled a plaque on Monday to formally open Alton's new library, and the verdict: "Hampshire County Council has done us proud."

"Alton has waited a long time for this, but it was worth waiting for," said Mr Fitzer.

The leader of Hampshire County Council, Ken Thornber, was particularly proud of the new facility. Referring to it as a "pet project", he told visitors that on becoming leader he had asked to be shown the worst and the best libraries in the county. "The accolade for the worst library went to Alton, not it terms of atmosphere, friendliness and use but because it was housed in a prefabricated building with corrugated roof and a floor well below flood level," he said.

"Most important of all it has over 11,000 new books, CDs and DVDs which have been bought for the public of Alton to enjoy," said Mr Thornber who is pictured here will Mr Fitzer and Alton librarians Susan Fifield, Paula Wood and Rosemary Hawkins.