WORK to transform Colchester Library is set to begin on Tuesday.

The project at the building on Trinity Square is a joint scheme by Colchester Council and Essex County Council in a bid to create a vibrant community space and has been given a major boost by a £205,000 grant awarded by the Department of Communities and Local Government.

Colchester Community Voluntary Services will move into the building and the ground floor will be redesigned and redecorated, including soft seating, iPads and a new sensory corner which will include interactive lighting and tactile walls.

The corner is due to open in late June thanks to £10,000 awarded by Colchester Catalyst.

From May 16, the county council's registration for births, deaths and marriages will be relocated to the library.

All services will remain open while the work is completed and cabinet member responsible for communities Anne Brown said: "This is an exciting time for the people of Colchester as we pull together a whole host of vital services into a beautifully redesigned space, while also offering some new ones too.

“The sensory corner will offer an invaluable and free resource to those caring for children with sensory needs or adults struggling with dementia.

“We aim to keep disruption to a minimum throughout the work and I look forward to unveiling this state-of-the-art facility in the coming months.”

Local company Carmelcrest are the lead contractor and Axis Europe are undertaking the redecoration for free as part of their commitment to community work.

They will follow plans drawn out by Colchester Institute student, Fiona Morris, who won a competition to help redesign the community space in December last year.

James Burton, Carmelcrest Contracts Manager, said: "We have been working within the public sector for 35 years and take pride in the fact we are creating new spaces for all to enjoy for years to come."