THE diggers have moved in to begin building work on Winchester's new Discovery Centre.
Civic chiefs were on hand to mark the start of the £8m refurbishment and extension of the library in Jewry Street.
They included county council leader Ken Thornber, county council executive member for recreation and heritage Margaret Snaith, and Mayor of Winchester Councillor Sue Nelmes.
Contractor Mansell is due to revamp the 19th century building, with a reopening date of summer 2007.
The library will be enlarged to include the reference library and there will be an art gallery, lecture theatre, IT suite and exhibition space.
Some critics fear that the refurbishment will actually see a downgrading of the importance of books, a charge the council denies.
Pictured are, from left, Councillor Sue Nelmes, Councillor Ken Thornber, Councillor Margaret Snaith, project manager for Mansell Damien McKenna, and Hampshire County Council senior architect Martin Hallum.
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