THE children’s section at Old Town Library is ready to let young readers’ imaginations fly away with them after unveiling a colourful revamp featuring the art of illustrator Fred Blunt.

Unicorns, witches and spooks feature on two giant murals with a distinct bookish theme, while bright new furniture and carpets have been installed.

South Swindon Parish Council took over the running of the service back in September when it was due to have been closed down by the borough council.

It then ordered the revamp after winning grant funding of £22,000.

Vice-chairman Janine Howarth said: “We looked at who was using the library and most of the time it was mums and children.”

So they devised a plan to make it more child-friendly.

She was delighted with the result. “It is fantastic,” she said. “The one thing you don’t want to do with children is patronise them and this doesn’t.”

It is the first big project for the parish council and if it is a success the council expects to be looking at improvements for other libraries.

The murals a series of square pictures arranged into two huge collages and printed by Signs Express, feature recognisable characters from children’s literature, like Rapunzel.

It also shows children being transported by the books and their imaginations from the little girl engrossed a book while being carried by a unicorn, to the Three Bears looking over Goldilocks’ shoulder as she reads all about them.

Fred, whose clients include Usborne, Macmillan and the BBC, said: “I wanted everything to be about books. Some of it is purely about the joy of reading, the power of reading and the fact it takes you to a different place.”

Each box has its own colour scheme and the pictures themselves are reminiscent of cartoon styles of the 1960s.

The aim was also to make it appealing for young children as well as older kids. “I was just hoping to give it overall appeal really,” said Fred.

“I wanted to make it cool pop art for the children.”

He normally illustrates children’s books and isn’t used to seeing his work used in such a way. He said it was also nice to be given a free hand to come up with his own ideas.

The library, which is based in the Arts Centre on Devizes Road, is currently open four days a week with a librarian but the parish council is looking for volunteers to help it extend opening hours and make it more accessible.

Anyone interested in helping out can contact the clerk for more information on 01793 312006 or email clerk@southswindon-pc.gov.uk