residents are being invited to see what is going on behind the scenes as work progresses on the £2.8m redevelopment of Newton Abbot library,

An information event is being held on Wednesday.

Project team members will be manning a stall in Courtenay Street which will include 3D visuals, interior layout plans and ideas for the types of furniture to be used, as well as photos of construction work so far.

People will be able to share their ideas for a new name for the building, scheduled to open next January.

The centre will include updated library facilities, adult learning service, IT facilities, wi-fi, cafe and hireable meeting rooms.

Last August, the county council decided to combine it with services for people with learning disabilities. Their current base at the Kingsteignton Resource Centre is thought to be unfit for the purpose.

Project manager Anna Matthews told town councillors that the hook-up had several advantages.

She said the county council would be able to save money by selling the Kingsteignton premises and invest more in the library.

The second floor, which previously was just going to get a lick of paint, will now be fitted out to cater for those with complex physical needs.

These will include a specialist bathroom and hoists in four rooms, a larger lift, laundry room and a couple of kitchenettes.

This would mean adult education losing three of its 11 promised rooms during the daytime, but they would be available to use in the evening.

While town councillors may not be thrilled at having to share precious library space with another service, the prize of seeing investment at a time when other libraries are shutting all over the country, always meant that any doubts were likely to remain muted.

Cllr Daphne Watts asked what public consultation had taken place, after it was decided to include disability services.

The answer was none, as Ms Matthews said, the 'actual offer had not changed that much'.

The upgraded library is being part-funded by the Teignbridge Growth Point Partnership and will be one of two new Devon Centres, the other under construction in Cullompton.

Some members did not like the proposed new name, The Devon Centre in Newton Abbot.

'We will have to change all our finger posts and people won't have a clue. They won't know what it is,' complained Cllr David Howe.

Ms Matthews said that it would have a local name which residents would have a hand in choosing.