WHAT a difference a year makes, allowing the medieval Master's House in Ledbury to develop is profile as one of the most important community buildings in town.

New statistics reveal that there have been more than 99,500 visitors to The Masters House and Ledbury Library since the revamped venue,on St Katherine's car park, re-opened a year ago.

The library, which moved to the Master's House from the Elizabeth Barrett Browning Institute, has also attracted 685 new members during the past 12 months, and 53,100 items have been borrowed and reserved for members.

The fifteenth century Master's House, on St Katherine's car park, underwent a £3.2m restoration, including the creation of a new town library, on a site that has disabled access.

Access was a problem at the former site, the Elizabeth Barrett Browning Institute, at the junction of Bye Street and the High Street.

Rachel Lambert, heritage and volunteering co-ordinator at the library, said “Everyone here at The Master's House is thrilled that our first year has been such a success.

"The library team are delighted with the enormous number of new members; customer services are happily run off their feet with enquiries and the heritage and events programme is going from strength to strength."

She added: "None of it would be possible without the Friends and volunteers to whom we owe a debt of gratitude.”

The cultural and social activities have proved increasingly popular and heritage events have resulted in more than 500 people participating in tours organised by the Friends of the Library.

The restoration of the Master's House was carried out by Speller Metcalfe.

The building dates back to 1487 and follows an H-shaped plan typical of the period, built around an oak timber frame. A mezzanine floor dates back to 1588 , the year of the Spanish Armada, "and a major reconstruction took place in the 18th century with other sections dating back to the mid-to-late 20th century".

A Spellar Metcalfe spokesman added: "Behind the grubby pebbledash exterior and 1960s plasterboard there stood an exceptional building hiding an incredible medieval structure."

The building is Grade II* listed.