The woman behind a community library in Exmouth has her expressed her delight at the success of the project, six months after it began.

After seeing similar projects in Exeter and the Brixington area of Exmouth, former primary school teacher Sue Rees decided Littleham needed its own version.

Exmouth Journal: A Littleham mum and daughter visiting the library to borrow a bookA Littleham mum and daughter visiting the library to borrow a book (Image: Sue Rees)

She enlisted the help of her husband Dave who built the library out of wood and they placed it on the corner of Littledown Close and Littleham Road.

Some six months later, Mrs Rees said she is still inundated with books.

She said: ”I'd seen one on Bradham Lane, and then saw on Facebook that someone in Exeter was having an opening 'ceremony' for one.

“I’m really pleased with how it’s been received since November and people do stop by when I’m restocking and say how brilliant it is.

“I am an ex primary school deputy primary school deputy head so I am very keen that people read to their children.”

Sue admits the library, which can hold more than 90 books, is bigger than she was expecting but is pleased with how it turned out.

After Mr Rees, who is a member of Exmouth Men’s Shed, completed construction of the library, she messaged friends and put out a plea on the Exmouth Community UK Facebook group to see if anyone had any unwanted books and was overwhelmed with the response.

Eventually Mrs Rees had to put another message out telling people she had enough books and said every time she opened her front door, there were more books.

She added: “I keep about 50 spare in a box in our house but people keep it well stocked - it helps that we're still in lockdown so no charity shops are open.”

People can borrow, donate or keep books stored at the library and Mrs Rees said it is well used.

She gives it a tidy up every couple weeks and has placed a bottle of santiser inside the library to make sure it is Covid safe.