A church community has hosted its first book swap after the area's library closed.

Eastern Daily Press: People at the first Christ Church book swap. Photo: Christ ChurchPeople at the first Christ Church book swap. Photo: Christ Church (Image: Archant)

On Wednesday, October 17, Christ Church in New Catton hosted the event, with plenty of people coming to browse the 400 donated books, and enjoy tea, coffee and cake.

Wendy Howe, a local resident involved in setting it up, said: 'Since the Lazer House Library was closed, it can be quite a walk for some people to get to another library so it's great to have a book swap in our community.'

Rev Laura Baker, the new vicar, said: 'It was wonderful to see people meet each other, sit down together and enjoy a chat over some tea and cake. It's really important to bring the community together and we needed a library and a place for people to meet. We lost our library 15 years ago, so we made our own. With loneliness an increasing problem, this new book swap brings people together to share a love of reading and to have a place to make new friends.'

The book swap will run every Wednesday morning 10am to 12pm in Christ Church Centre on Magdalen Road.