THE wraps have come off ambitious plans to catapult services and access to information in Bromyard into the 21st century.

The groundbreaking proposals include doubling the size of the town's library, providing a new Info in Herefordshire Shop and improving youth facilities.

Discussions are also taking place with a view to identifying a site for a new improved police station.

Herefordshire Council has unveiled the scheme this week, although comprehensive consultation will take place before the final details are drawn together.

As part of the plans, the current library would move out of its current cramped location in Church Street and into the function room at the town's leisure centre.

In addition, the leisure centre's reception area would be expanded to include the Info in Herefordshire Shop along with the town's relocated tourist information centre. The Info Shop and the TIC could open seven days a week.

Bromyard's youth advisory service 'Way2Go', meanwhile, will move into a purpose-built extension at the leisure centre.

Herefordshire Council's ward members for Bromyard, Bringsty, Frome and Hope End have given the plans their unanimous approval.

In a joint statement they said: "It will not only mean Bromyard gets a library it can be proud of - a library which meets new national standards - it will also mean vastly improved public access to services for people who live in and around the town.

"We're very enthusiastic about these exciting proposals, which will truly bring Bromyard into the 21st century in terms of access to services and information and we hope that local people will catch the vision and support us in this venture."

It is hoped the capital costs of providing the new library and other services would be substantially met from the money raised by the sale of council buildings.

"Maintaining the current situation is not an option," said Councillor Mike Kimbery, the cabinet member for social development.

"This would not allow us to improve a range of services and provide easy access for all at a single convenient location in the town, which has good car parking.

"These proposals represent a significant step forward for Bromyard and in our vision to allow us to bring together a number of services under one roof at a town centre location."

Councillor Kimbery added that the plans would include full disabled access to services.

The proposals are due to be discussed by cabinet members next month, and Bromyard Town Council will be fully consulted.

The development will be the main item on the agenda at the next Local Area Forum in the Bromyard area on September 12.