TETBURY has made the final for a award that celebrates outstanding Gloucestershire library initiatives.

Alongside Prestbury, Cheltenham and a combined effort from Tewkesbury and Churchdown, Tetbury library has been shortlisted for the David Vaisey Trust prize.

Judges will pick the Gloucestershire library which has encouraged community support and seen more borrowing of books, reading and discussions from readers of all ages.

Tetbury made the shortlist with its monthly event called CelebraeStory where people from the community, from a firefighter to a supermarket worker, pick a story and read it aloud to children.

Should they come out on top, they will be rewarded with a £5,000 prize that will help their scheme flourish.

The initiative was launched last year in honour of David Vaisey CBE, the son of a Tetbury gardener, who has devoted his life to libraries.

It was launched with support from It has been launched with support from the Gloucestershire Libraries, the Booker Prize Foundation, the Honourable Company of Gloucestershire, playwright Alan Bennett and writer Jilly Cooper, among others.

Renowned author Michael Morpurgo, will present the prize to the winner at a special event as The Times and Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival on October 7.

The three runners-up will receive £1,000 each to further the trust’s aims.

Cllr Tim Harman, cabinet member responsible for libraries at Gloucestershire County Council, said: “Reading brings a great deal of joy to a lot of people, and I am pleased to be working with the trust to encourage initiatives in libraries where reading has had a really positive impact.
“It is a fantastic opportunity to recognise the invaluable contribution that libraries make to their local community, not just as a place to take books out, but also to access computers, learning opportunities and advice.”
Author Rachel Joyce who announced the shortlist and is judging the awards added: “I was genuinely moved by the commitment of the libraries’ staff and volunteers.

"I was so moved that I have offered my services as a volunteer.”