TOP classical guitarist Michael Partington entertained a crowd in Puddletown in aid of the campaign to save the village library.

Mr Partington, who grew up in Milborne Port and now lives in America, held a concert to help raise cash for the group’s fighting fund to save the village library that is under threat of closure.

The musician is currently on holiday visiting his parents and decided to put on the performance in Athelhampton House while in Dorset.

The 42-year-old, who lives in Seattle, where he is now a university lecturer in music, helped raise £250 for the Friends of Puddletown Library.

More than 70 people filled the conservatory of Athelhampton House where the concert was held.

Mr Partington, who has played all over Europe and North America, said: “I was pleased to see those who came to the concert for the libraries and I think everybody had a good time.

“There’s a really strong feeling of coming together for the library and a real sense of community where people are supporting a common cause.

“It’s really nice to feel that I can be a part of that.”

Mike Chaney, of Friends of Puddletown Library, said the group was raising cash for its ‘fighting fund’, which will enable the villagers to fund the library themselves if the county council decides to pull the plug on funding.

He said: “This was the first fundraising event we’ve held so it’s a good start and we will continue with our efforts.

“We’re in discussions with the county council about what’s going to happen.

“Where there’s life there’s hope but if the council does make the cuts, we’ll do our best to supply the village with some sort of cultural centre.”

Mr Partington’s mother Christine said: “It was a really lovely evening – there was a really enthusiastic and warm crowd.

“I got the feeling that they were primarily there because they were supporting the library.

“There were some people who had come because they were interested in the guitar but my strong feeling was that it was a Friends of Puddletown Library evening.”

Michael Partington will also hold two concerts in Somerset for the library campaign.