SWIRLS and splashes of colour lit up the room as Andover Library reopened its doors to the public this week.

The swanky new facility located in the Chantry Centre opened on Wednesday after it had temporarily closed since December for a £325,000 revamp by Hampshire County Council.

Murals of books fill the walls surrounding the new children’s and adult areas, while there are self-service kiosks and extra facilities such as a meeting room and an accessible toilet.

The library has also seen an influx of 2,199 new books on its shelves.

Library manager Charlotte White said: “We are just thrilled with it. It’s amazing and it has made us into a modern library for the future.

“It’s just a million miles away from what it was. We do hope more people will come in and see us now and see what we can offer.”

Staff were on hand showing around keen visitors as it opened from 9am, and they said feedback they had received so far was “fantastic”.

Andover Town mayor Councillor Barbara Long was shown round the bookshelves in a tour of the new facilities, which is also confirmed to host the relocated register office in due course.

Cllr Long said: “I love the children’s area, I think it is fantastic. It’s more accessible and there’s a lovely meeting room. They run various courses, that will be nice to be able to do that.”

The refurbishment comes as the county council seeks to modernise its library buildings and technology by 2020.

An official opening of Andover Library is due to take place on March 21 with Hampshire County Council executive member for recreation and heritage, Councillor Seán Woodward.