BROADWAY Library has been saved from closure as the community group set to run it officially launched its charity status.

The Broadway Community Library group is run by voluntary trustees from the village who have been working hard to take over the building, which the library is run from, for the past 18 months.

Now their quest has officially become a reality and the company achieved charity status.

This now means they should be able to fund the outgoings of the building and the library for about £10,000 a year, with Worcestershire County Council still responsible for the staffing and running of the library.

Steve Williams, the chairman of the six person trustee group, said they were delighted with the support they received.

"We had the launch event for the charity organisation on Friday," said Mr Williams. "We celebrated the company having charity status with the charity commission after quite a long time.

"About 70 people turned up to celebrate, and we raised quite a bit of money towards committee funds for keeping the library open and operational.

"It was very successful. Everybody was thrilled with the community support we received.

"The charity has entered into a lease arrangement and becomes responsible for the out goings of the library building.

"Now we are charity we can keep the building going as we are hoping to have relief rates."

This marks the end of the 18 months of work to keep the library from possible closure or becoming a mobile service, but the fundraising must still continue.

"It's 18 months since we first gathered to try and put a rescue package together," added Mr Williams.

"There was talk of closure or becoming a mobile service, but no one was happy about that. I am pretty confident that we have safe guarded the library.

"We do need to continue to raise money to pay for the out goings of the library. We will be holding a summer event, people should look out for that."