PART of Yarm Library will soon house a building society branch, if plans are approved by councillors.

Some of the ground floor of the library will be leased by Newcastle Building Society under the proposals, aimed at making the service more viable.

An extension is also planned to the side of the building to include a new toilet, entrance and ramp to fit in with disability laws.

If the plans for a change of use for the library are approved by councillors on Stockton Council's planning committee when it meets on Wednesday (January 27), the building will undergo a full refurbishment this year.

It will be closed for about six months while work takes place.

Stockton Council said it had publicised the proposals for the library but no comments had been received from residents, or ward councillors.

It displayed the design for the new-look library in 2014 as part of its plan to update and refurbish all its town centre libraries.

But since then it said the plans had developed further, including the plan to incorporate Newcastle Building Society into the building, which will take up about one tenth of the library's floorspace.

The makeover will also include new furniture and moveable shelving which are already in the revamped Stockton, Thornaby and Billingham libraries.

Self-service borrowing and renewal machines will be introduced, as well as improvements to the children's section and garden area.

A self-service "portal" will allow residents to report any local issues to the council, or ask for a service.

The plan is part of Stockton council's library refurbishment programme, to include more services within libraries, making them more viable.

Recently Billingham, Thornaby and Stockton libraries have been redeveloped and include customer services for the Thirteen housing group, children's centres and cash offices. But this is believed to be the first time it has partnered with a building society.

Last month Andrew Haigh, chief executive at Newcastle Building Society, said it was "excited" by the prospect of reopening a branch on Yarm High Street.

Work is expected to start early this year, if plans are approved.

While the library is closed users will be able to use facilities at Egglescliffe and Ingleby Barwick, as well as the mobile library which visits Timothy Hackworth Court, Conyers Court and Wycliffe/Ayresome Court, all in Yarm.

For more information about the mobile library visit www.stockton.gov.uk/mobilelibrary