A VILLAGE community has officially taken over the running of their local library.

Sully Library was officially handed over to the Sully and Lavernock Community Library Trust on Wednesday, July 27.

Sully is the first of the five planned library handovers from Vale of Glamorgan Council control.

The other four libraries which are still to be officially handed over are Dinas Powys, Wenvoe, St Athan and Rhoose.

The Vale cabinet agreed in February to the establishment of community libraries which is estimated to save the council more than £500,000.

But at a meeting last month, it was agreed to extend the deadline after the target of May 31 was missed.

The transfer of the library in Sully had been partially delayed because of issues around the transfer of the assets but this has now been resolved.

The library trust is now a registered charity which will seek financial support for the volunteers to carry out their ideas.

The service will be entirely run by volunteers who are trained by the Vale's library service.

The service has promised to maintain and develop the existing range of services offered in the village.

There will now be an extension of opening hours in Sully from the week commencing August 8.

This will see the library open from 11am-6pm on Tuesdays, 3-6pm on Thursdays and 9am-1pm on Saturdays.

The group is also planning schemes to increase existing membership numbers and the establishment of a book delivery and collection service for housebound residents.

Councillor Bob Penrose who represents Sully on the Vale council said the community library volunteers plan to develop it into a "community hub."

He said: "We will be working with Sully Primary School and Beechwood College to encourage young readers by starting a mother and toddler group and offering free Wi-Fi and I.C.T facilities and training."

Residents will also still be able to purchase recycling, garden waste and dog poo bags.

Councillor Lis Burnett, cabinet member for regeneration and education, said: "The transfer of Sully Library to the community is the culmination of two years of hard work on the part of the Vale of Glamorgan Council and the tireless efforts of local volunteers.

"I am delighted to see the management of the library transfer to such an enthusiastic and determined community trust, who are very keen to develop the library for local residents.

"In recent months we have been working closely with the trust to make sure that everyone is prepared for the handover.

"Now that this has taken place, I know that the trust has ambitions to widen access to the library’s services and will be consulting with the residents of Sully and Lavernock to understand their needs."

Any comments or suggestions for improvement for the library service can be made at the library or by emailing sullycommunitylibrary@gmail.com.