Saundersfoot Library and Information Centre will operate longer opening hours this winter after the community council offered to pay for them.

The village’s library, which is based in the Regency Hall, will stay open for an extra seven hours a week from Tuesday, November 1, until Saturday, April 1.

The decision by Saundersfoot Community Council to pay for the increase in winter hours means that customers can enjoy the original opening hours once again. These were reduced in 2015 as part of PCC’s budget savings.

The community council believes an extension of the hours is important for visitors to Saundersfoot, as well as residents of the village and surrounding areas.

“After listening to the comments of our residents and visitors to the library last winter, Saundersfoot Community Council, with the full backing of the residents, felt it was in the interest of the community in general to contribute towards the cost of re-instating the original winter opening hours,” said chair of Saundersfoot Community Council, Sue Boughton-Thomas.

“We are also proud to note that Saundersfoot library will be the only library open in Pembrokeshire on Saturday afternoons, during the winter months.”

Funding has been agreed for the forthcoming winter only and will be reviewed next spring.

“I’m very grateful to Saundersfoot Community Council for helping,” said cabinet member for culture, sport and leisure, Clr. Elwyn Morse.

“They recognise the importance of the facility within the community and their commitment throughout the winter will enable more people to access our library and tourist information services . A lot of people are going to benefit through their generosity.”