A volunteer-run library is expanding its programme of events after securing a £8,500 funding boost.

Using a lottery grant, a host of regular groups will be set up at Harrow Green Community Library, based at the Epicentre, in West Street, Leytonstone.

The library opened in 2013 following an unsuccessful fight to prevent the closure of the council-run library at Harrow Green.

Activists subsequently came together and set about opening their own library, with donated books and staffed by volunteers at the Epicentre.

After 18 months in operation, the the library has launched a series of new regularly-meeting groups with paid staff.

These include family storytime sessions every week, a monthly reading club, and a monthly creative writing group.

Volunteer Ros Kane said: “We are thrilled to be able to offer these new services to the community.

“The grant will used completely for the new groups and it enables us to pay group leaders, which we have never been able to do before.

“It’s such an important resource and we hope these extra new services will offer a further boost to the area.

“The library is run by volunteers and without their dedication we would never have succeeded in retaining a library for the residents of south Leytonstone.”

Each week the library is open Monday from 11am to 4pm, Thursday from 3pm to 7.30pm and Saturday from 11am -2pm.

For more details and to join the library click here.