Campaigners took to the streets at the weekend to launch a £500,000 appeal to help fund a new book and music library.

The Lewes Library Friends were joined by mayor John Webber, Lewes MP Norman Baker and musicians.

The aim of the fanfare was to highlight the need for a new building.

East Sussex County Council has agreed to pay £1.9 million towards it.

A further £550,000 has been promised by the Arts Council towards the total cost of almost £3 million.

Chair of Lewes Library Friends Joy Preston said: "Our town has needed a new library for 20 years because the present one is extremely small and very crowded and difficult for disabled people and for mothers with pushchairs.

"In the new building the music library will be combined with the book library and there will be a regional literature centre.

"This is an innovative idea and it will be a centre for practising writers with an auditorium and conferences."

Mrs Preston said the group intends to raise the first quarter of a million pounds by October.

It will organise fund-raising events and approach grant-making organisations, businesses and individuals.