To mark  Sidmouth Biodiversity Day (part of Sidmouth Science Festival), on October 14, the library planted an community tree.

A spokesman for the group said: "We wanted a native tree and so, as advised by Sidmouth-in-Bloom, and funded by The Friends of Sidmouth Library, we sourced a Rowan. It had to be a “fastigiate” (columnar in shape) to fit the space, beside the path along the back of the library leading to the old surgery.

"Four enthusiastic children helped Graham from Sidmouth Arboretum with the planting, saving worms and beetles as they went. We now have our watering team for next summer!

"We are looking forward to the spring and watching it grow and show its new leaves."

The first weekend of this year’s Sidmouth Science Festival was 'a huge success', according to organisers.

The festival began on Friday, October 6, followed by Super Science Saturday which featured events at venues around the town.

Liz Bramley from the Science Festival team said: "The venues were buzzing with everyone eager to try things out, and many of the 'make and take' activities ran out before the end of the day. 

“It was great to see so many youngsters getting really involved in what they were doing. We definitely created some curiosity to explore how things around us work. Many went home with their backpacks full!

"We are very grateful to all the volunteers who work so hard to keep this festival evolving.”

There was plenty to do and see, including a talk on Stonehenge on Wednesday 11, a history walk around the Norman Lockyer Observatory on Thursday and a geology walk on Friday.

A Robot Workshop and Biodiversity Day takes place on Saturday (October 14) followed by the final event at the Norman Lockyer Observatory (admission charges apply) on Sunday where the now traditional Jet Car races take place. 

And in between there has been a series of talks and workshops including a robot coding event, an Environment day and a Biodiversity Day with a fungi hunt and dormouse nest hunt.