A MICRO arts centre has opened its doors to the community for the first time, bringing a former Newport library back into public use.

A variety of performers including musicians and storytellers helped to launch Cwtsh on Saturday at the site of the former Stow Hill Library.

The community facility has been completely renovated by the dedicated Handpost Community Library Association (HCLA), set up following the closure of the library in March 2014.

The centre aims to provide a "white box" for community use, available for anything and everything.

Alan Roderick, HCLA chairman, said a team of volunteers had worked to restore and renovate the building with the help of a £5,000 donation from an anonymous benefactor and £5,000 from the Welsh Church Fund.

Other fundraising events have taken place to bring the former library back into use.

Mr Roderick said: "It's going to be a small mini arts centre, the like of which we haven't got here in Newport. Now we've got the momentum going we need people to come forward who want to put on events here."

The committee hope to run events ranging from craft workshops to film clubs and theatre performances to concerts.

"We're all things to all men, women and children, " Mr Roderick added. "One of the things we're hoping to do is run a relaxing 'Happy Hour' on Friday nights for young professionals and tea and coffee sessions for older people to come and have a chat and take time out."

The centre also has a children's book corner and is on the look out for good quality children's book donations.

Mr Roderick added: "We also have links to Clytha Primary and St Woolos Primary and we want to see how they can use it.

"It's been a long road, we've had various people join the committee and fall by the wayside but we had a steady core who've put a lot of work and effort in."

The name of the centre, Cwtsh, uses the traditional Welsh spelling of the word with the SH marking its location in Stow Hill.

Councillor Charles Ferris, who represents Allt-Yr-Yn, said: "I really hope that this will be a new lease of life for the building, It's marvellous what they've done here and they've got tremendous support."

The new facility can accommodate 20 people at tables, 30 people theatre style, or 60 people standing. The building is also fully licensed for entertainment and the sale of alcohol.

For more information on bookings, call 01633 668425 or email info@cwtsh.org