Chandler's Ford library will re-open its doors to the public on December 20, after a four-month makeover costing £169,000.

Shutters went up at the library in Oakmount Road in August and local bookworms have had to make do with a temporary base in a shop unit at the Central Precinct since then.

Hampshire County Council says the newly-refurbished premises will offer visitors a more welcoming, bright and modern environment in which to spend time browsing, borrowing or studying.

Library users will also be able to look forward to 9.30am to 5.30pm Wednesday openings at Chandler's Ford, which previously closed on that day.

The library has been refurbished as part of an ongoing project by the county council to improve its library buildings and develop the range of library services.

A complete internal redecoration, new carpeting, improved lighting, a new inquiry desk plus new tea and coffee facilities have been included in the makeover.

A county council spokesman said there were also plans to install a new lift to the first floor in the spring, with minimum disruption.

Until then, she added, the existing lift in the workroom area could still be used.

From tomorrow, the temporary library will be closed to enable all the stock plus some new stock to be moved back into the main library building ahead of the opening.

After many local people told library staff that they welcomed having a library in the temporary location, the council has decided to set up a mobile library stop at the Chandler's Ford Central Club.

It will operate on alternate Tuesdays, starting from December 21, from 3.15pm to 4.45pm.

Hampshire County Council executive councillor for recreation and heritage, John Waddington, said: "Libraries play an important role in local communities and it is important that we invest in our library buildings to make them more attractive and pleasant places for people to spend time.

"We are sure that Chandler's Ford residents are looking forward to having their library back - and we are confident they will be impressed with what they see."