MORE than 500 people joined the fun at a special event celebrating new extended opening hours for Tilbury Library.

Thanks to funding from Thames FreePort, Tilbury Library is now open six days a week, with extended hours on Tuesday and Thursday.

Tilbury Library's new opening times are:

• Monday: 10am to 5pm
• Tuesday: 10am to 7pm
• Wednesday: 10am to 5pm
• Thursday: 10am to 7pm
• Friday: 10am to 5pm
• Saturday: 10am to 1pm

To celebrate the extended hours, residents of all ages were invited down to the library on Saturday (8 February) to take part in a number of fun sessions such as a storytime, job club taster and collect SIM cards with free mobile phone data.

More than 100 children identified through local schools were also invited to receive a refurbished computer, monitor and accessories from EveryChildOnline; a charity that aims to tackle digital poverty by refurbishing and donating unused computers.

Through Every Child Online's offer, each family that redeemed a voucher with a £20 donation to the charity was provided with £199 worth of computer equipment.

Organisations such as CVS and Essex Digital were also on hand to support residents with volunteering opportunities and to help them discover digital skill courses.

Cllr Valerie Morris-Cook, said: "I'm thrilled that Tilbury Library and Hub is now able to open for longer. It makes sure that there are more opportunities than ever before to take advantage of everything they have to offer.

"We know just how invaluable this library is. As well as giving local people free access to the joy of reading, it is a real hub for the community, and it is a great place to come and meet friends or find out what help and support is available.

"Access to digital technology is so important for our children's education, and no child should ever be at a disadvantage simply because the cost of computer equipment stands in their way.

"EveryChildOnline has helped level the playing field, enabling so many children's dreams to come true. I want to express a heartfelt thank you for the incredible difference the charity has made in these families' lives."