A NEW library and resource centre is a step closer for the residents of Wickham Market - thanks to £295,000 worth of funding from Suffolk County Council.

A NEW library and resource centre is a step closer for the residents of Wickham Market - thanks to £295,000 worth of funding from Suffolk County Council.

A location has been found for the proposed centre in two disused bungalows just off Chapel Lane. The money will be used to convert these into a modern library and meeting place for local organisations.

Company secretary of the Wickham Market partnership Cath Caudwell said: "Our survey of Wickham Market residents, and people living in neighbouring areas, showed there was a real demand for a centre that could be a base for all the different organisations and activities locally, such as the citizen's advice bureau and the Framlingham and District Volunteer Centre.

"On behalf of the Partnership, and the residents we are working for, I would like to thank the County Council for its support which we are backing up with £55,000 of our own funding from the Market Towns Initiative."

Wickham Market currently has a small library that is open for limited hours with poor access for people with disabilities. The new proposals would see the library housed in a bigger, more up to date building, accessible to all parts of the community.

Kathy Pollard, a member of Suffolk County Council's executive committee, said: "We are very excited about the new resource centre as it will deliver clear improvements for local people wanting access to a broad range of services from the same place."

On Saturday July 19 the Wickham Market Partnership will be exhibiting plans for the proposed centre in the existing library.

Mrs Caudwell said: "What we will have on show is based on what the public made clear that they wanted – an improved library service backed up with resource centre facilities that they can make use of. We now look forward to seeing what people make of the plans."

The plans will be on show from 2pm to 4pm.