As well as a plentiful supply of books, the £4m project, which is on Parkway, houses a museum resource centre, which will open next year.

A fanfare from pupils at Ludlow School signalled the opening and started a day of celebrations.

The development, which has taken two years to build, replaces the town's library on Old Street.

'More services'

Adrian Williams, head librarian for south Shropshire, says the new library offers a dramatic improvement in facilities.

"The old building was probably the worst library building in Shropshire.

"It was steps and stairs everywhere you go and for anyone that was elderly or infirm in any way, they couldn't get at the books.

"This is all on one level, there's room to move about, we've got more books, we've got more services and it's light, it's airy and it enables us to do things," he said.