A TELEPHONE box in has been given a new lease of life as a village book exchange.

Residents of Bradford Peverell gathered at the centre of the village at the weekend for its grand opening.

The idea to adopt the telephone box and use it as a book exchange was suggested by residents to the Parish Council after seeing similar ideas in areas throughout the country.

The box is right in the centre of the village and it is hoped that it will be used as a community point and also for the advantage of young people.

Chairman of Bradford Peverell Parish Council, Sylvia Denning, said: "It was very successful, I think we had about 50 people there.

"A lot of the residents came up to me afterwards with beautiful comments, saying what a good idea it was and how we don't have anything like this in the village.

"It was nice to make a little quirky event for it with a cutting of the ribbon. It was better than just putting out a sign saying that the telephone box is now a book exchange.

"It's great for community spirit too and there is a great community spirit in Bradford Peverell.

"I've been here seven years and right from the beginning I was made to feel welcome.

"We have a very friendly village here, and I think that is what it is renowned for.

"We had two residents, who have lived in the village for 117 years between them, cut the ribbon and then we had the other end of the spectrum with one of our youngest residents being the first to exchange a book.

"In between that we had a local ukulele band performing, our local choir sang and someone read a poem. It was a very inclusive event.

"We even had a few people who used to live here come back for the event, which is brilliant. It shows how popular our little village is."

CONTACT ME:

t: 01305 830985

e: meghan.hindley@dorsetecho.co.uk

twitter: @DorsetEchoMeg