A grade-II listed library that remained closed for almost a year has re-opened today following a £1.5m refurbishment.

Leytonstone Library in Church Lane shut in October as part of Waltham Forest council's £5million upgrade of library facilities across the borough.

The new modernised library re-opened to the public today (August 26), offering residents flexible space for different activities, including a theatre hall, upgraded ICT facilities and faster Wi-Fi, and dedicated sections for adults, teens and children.

It will hold 19,000 books, the same amount as it did before, and the number of computers spread across both floors has increased slightly from 31 to 33.

Other facilities include a cultural space with new projector and speaker for art events and displays, a ‘touch down’ area for laptop users, self-service kiosks to manage book loans and returns, and a meeting room to hold councillor ward surgeries.

Speaking about today's opening, council leader Chris Robbins, said: "The old Leytonstone Library has undergone a remarkable transformation and now, as well as looking the part, offers everything residents would expect from a state-of-the-art library.

"The new Leytonstone Library Plus really is a great local resource and I would urge residents to go and see for themselves all it has to offer.”

An official launch will take place during the Leytonstone Big Weekender on September 13.

The library will be open from 9am to 7pm on Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm on Saturdays and 12pm to 4pm on Sundays.