Staff and visitors gathered at Hunstanton library yesterday to celebrate it turning 50 years old.

Eastern Daily Press: Hunstanton Library celebrate their 50th year of being open - From left, Barbara Thew, Ken Arnott, David Bell, current librarian Elena Parkin and Richard Bird. Picture: Matthew Usher.Hunstanton Library celebrate their 50th year of being open - From left, Barbara Thew, Ken Arnott, David Bell, current librarian Elena Parkin and Richard Bird. Picture: Matthew Usher. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

As guests enjoyed a cup of tea with a slice of homemade cake, they listened to former librarian David Bell who relayed some of his favourite memories.

He spoke about some of the different characters he met during his time at Hunstanton library for 20 years from when he started in 1976.

Mr Bell, 67, of Hill Road, Ingoldisthorpe said: 'I always enjoyed meeting people and the books. I am please to see that most of the staff are still going strong.

'When I started in 1976, I remember that year the summer was amazing, the sun just shone. But I have lots of happy memories and I would like to thank everyone for coming today.'

Retired teacher, Ken Arnott, 90, was amongst the guests.

He has been a regular at the library since it opened.

He said: 'This library has helped to keep me entertained over the years, the staff have been superb and very helpful.'

Richard Bird, county councillor for the north coast division, delivered a speech to the guests. He said he was thankful that the library has been available for 50 years.

He added: 'This library has been a beacon of community and enlightenment for 50 years. And even now with the new generations being included, the principle continues. Long may it last.'

Current librarian, Elena Parkin said that the library still remains very important for the community.

She said: 'We also have groups for knitting and scrabble and people make friends here. If that was taken away it would leave a lot of people isolated.'

Hunstanton library currently has over 8,000 registered borrowers, from as young as a few months old to 98 yeas old.

The town's first library was based at the Sandringham Hotel, but it was moved across to Westgate Gardens in 1964, before the hotel was demolished in 1967.