CHEPSTOW library is looking to recruit local volunteers to act as "ambassadors" to raise its profile and much-needed funds.

Staff at the library are looking to set up a "Friends" group to help with fundraising and encouraging more people to use the library.

Diane Sullivan, a member of the library team, said: "Chepstow is a busy library but we feel that we could be far more community focused.  

"The aim of the Friends group is to support and promote the library through a number of activities. We really do need to raise finances to preserve our library.

"There are many people in and around Chepstow who are not members of the library so we need to encourage everyone to pop in and see what we have to offer.  

"We are not just about books: we provide a multitude of facilities from free intenet access for library members to story and rhyme sessions for children in both English and Welsh; Computer courses and free training courses via Learn Direct.

"We also want to encougage the use of the library facilities – we have a wonderful central space which is perfect for art displays or small concerts.

"We have had a number of successful evenings with well known authors and are keen to build upon this and to provide ideas for developing the library service – we are open to suggestions, however bizarre."

The library already has about a dozen people signed up and anyone who is interested should speak to a member of staff or

e-mail chepstow library@ monmouthshire.gov.uk.

It is hoped to launch the Friends group by Christmas.