A LIBRARY that was once under threat of closure has celebrated 50 years with one of its longest card holders.

Rhuddlan Library celebrated the milestone with town councillors Ann Davies, Arwel Roberts and mayor Gareth Rowlands joining to commemorate the occasion with a few words.

Cllr Davies, who moved to Rhuddlan two years before the libraries opening, is one of it's longest card holders and has seen three generations of her family make good use of the Vicarage Lane building.

Cllr Ann Davies said: "My daughter and I have been members and regular visitors to the library since it opened in 1968. I moved to the town two years before it opened and am actually one of its longest members.

"My granddaughter, who is an avid reader was introduced to her love of books at the library and indeed spends many hours choosing her books there.

”Since becoming at town and county councillor in 2008, this library has been one of my top priorities in Rhuddlan, and when it was under the threat of closure in that year I, with others, fought to keep its doors open.

"As chair of Denbighshire County Council, I was delighted to officially open the newly refurbished library in 2016.

"We the residents of Rhuddlan are very proud of the library, it’s always been the hub of the community - long may it last."

The occasion was marked with a morning of both reminiscing and looking ahead over a 'cuppa' and cake, as staff were joined in the by customers, former colleagues and families from the ‘Cymraeg i Blant’ rhyme session as well young people from Coleg Pengwern.

The pupils on the School council of Ysgol y Castell, Rhuddlan also attended and they wrote letters to the library – ‘I love my library because….’

Bethan Hughes, Denbighshire Libraries’ Principal Librarian welcomed everyone and introduced the speakers, while a small display of photographs and programme from the original opening in 1968 will remain on display at the library until early January 2019