Plans to incorporate new library facilities, public toilets and a tourist information centre under one roof caught the imaginations of Ottery residents on Saturday.

Town councillors put in a successful £139,500 bid for the former NatWest bank premises last year, but faced a mixed response to the purchase.

Plans to transform the premises into a multi-use community centre – with full disabled access - have been given the go-ahead and around 200 people flocked to view the prospective layout at an open day on Saturday.

Councillors and library representatives met with residents to discuss ideas, answer questions and conduct a survey on what services they would like to see provided in the new facility.

Town councillor Josefina Gori said: “What I have to emphasise is the positive and encouraging attitude of those who visited regarding the future plans.

“They really liked the fact the building was going to be used for something so appealing to the town and the fact that it would have disabled access - which will also make a difference to parents with pushchairs.

“They were surprised how big it was inside and welcomed the outdoor activities planned by the library.”

The council is currently seeking suggestions for what the building should be named.