Black Pool Mill, near Canaston Bridge, has become the new archive library for the West Wales Maritime Heritage Society.

Formerly based in a dockside building in Milford Haven, the society was faced with a problem when it was told that the facility was to be withdrawn.

Extensive enquiries across the county to find other suitable accommodation drew a blank, until chairman David James put a plea for help in the local press. Fortunately this was spotted by June Howell, of Black Pool Mill Gallery. She in turn asked Tony and Sheila Davies, who run the museum and tea room, if they could help - which they could. They were able to offer a spare empty room on one of the upper floors which afforded sufficient storage for the society's needs.

"It seems a fitting alternative for a Maritime Heritage Society - from shore-side depot to riverside mill," said June.

David James is indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Davies for offering the space to house a collection of books which he and society members have amassed over the years.

"After a while, our collection, like Topsy, has grown, and we don't all live in the sort of houses where a library of this size can easily be accommodated. It is a valuable resource for people with a specialist maritime interest, so we are delighted to see it all together under one roof again."

The facility is available for all society members, but application to view should initially be made via David James. David also offers heartfelt thanks to those members who have given freely of their time to fit shelving and heft heavy books up the stairs - quite a tall order as anyone who has ever visited Black Pool Mill will know!