County ends city library contract

Cambridgeshire County Council has terminated its contract with the building firm refurbishing Cambridge's Central Library.

Building work was due to finish in March 2008 but is now a year behind schedule, said the council spokesman.

He added: "The move follows unsatisfactory progress made by Verry Construction the previous contractors."

A new company, Cambridge-based Coulson Building Group has been appointed to complete the work.

'Archive films'

The library is now expected to open in September.

Once opened, the Central Library will house more than 100,000 books, access to IT and children's and study areas.

It will also include meeting rooms, a learning centre and a Mediatheque bringing digital access to British Film Institute's collection of archive films.

Verry Construction was unavailable for comment on Friday night.