A SPECIAL group set up to launch a volunteer community library has raised £2,000 to help get it off the ground.

The Friends of Bedale Community Library have raised £2000 in just over two months.

The funds came from 150 Friends donating £15 or more each, plus the proceeds from a launch in Bedale Hall on March 2 through a raffle, and contributions.

Chair of the Friends of Bedale Community Library Susan Perkins, presented a cheque for £2,000 to Andy Hallett, who is Chair of Bedale Community Library. Volunteers will be taking over running the library from April 1.

Mrs Perkins said: "We are thrilled that so many people from the local area have signed up to be Friends, and that the launch event was so well-received and so successful.

"It is particularly gratifying to be able to make a donation of £2,000 even before we open as a community library. We aim to organise more events, so that people can go on supporting us, and the library can go on benefitting."