KEEPING the noise down was certainly not on the agenda at Ipswich county library as visitors were treated to a colourful day of arts, crafts and salsa dancing.

KEEPING the noise down was certainly not on the agenda at Ipswich county library as visitors were treated to a colourful day of arts, crafts and salsa dancing.

A host of activities kept visitors entertained as Suffolk libraries celebrated their new Sunday opening hours with a special event yesterday.

Libraries across the county have been experimenting with Sunday opening for three weeks now but this was the first time Ipswich had tried it.

Guenever Pachent, assistant director of Libraries and Heritage, said: "I would estimate that we will have had at least a thousand visitors through the door by the end of the day. It's going fantastically well.

"Libraries are so important and this is a great way of getting a new generation to recognise that all this is here for them.

"We want to dispel the traditional images of libraries and the Sunday opening, with its more relaxed approach, should help us to do this."

Children and adults were able to take part in numerous activities including salsa dancing lessons, t-shirt printing and poetry workshops.

Seven-year-old Iqbal Ali was one of the youngsters enjoying the fun. He said: "I've had a really good day and done lots of interesting things. It's definitely made me want to come to the library more often."

Bryony Rudkin, leader of Suffolk county council, said: "It is very important that even more people have greater access to council services such as libraries and we are extending opening hours to help achieve this."