Work has started on the multi-million pound overhaul of Hastings Library by East Sussex County Council.

The changes will see a new home for the children’s library, currently based in nearby Robertson Passage, as well as a more convenient location for people to register birthday and deaths and function rooms for marriages, civil partnerships and other ceremonies.

Work is also being carried out on the exterior of the library to ensure the adjoining building matches the original library.

Councillor Chris Dowling, the council’s lead member for community services, said: “This redevelopment offers an exciting opportunity to bring library and registration services in Hastings under one roof.

“As well as a modern, state-of-the-art library, the building will also offer a more convenient location for |people to register births and deaths, as well as new function rooms for marriages, civil partnerships and other ceremonies.

“We would ask our customers to bear with us as work begins on a scheme which will provide a vastly improved service to the public.”