A free community library encouraging people to recycle their unwanted books has opened at Barking Riverside.

Barking and Dagenham Post: The library is at Barking Riverside. Picture: Yvonne ThomasThe library is at Barking Riverside. Picture: Yvonne Thomas (Image: Yvonne Thomas)

Passers-by can place, take, replace or return a book, with the idea being the library will be self-sufficient and constantly updated.

Volunteer Yvonne Thomas says she got inspiration for the idea from the US, where such libraries are commonplace.

She said: “We have had many residents already visit the library to browse and re-stock with their own books, and we are hoping the idea will take off all around Barking and Dagenham.”

The library is in the community garden at Barking Riverside. It is hoped that since lots of people already pass through this area the library will prove to be a hit.

The container for the books was built by Andrew Downton, resident of Barking Riverside, using only local materials.

To find out more about the library, or about social events and volunteering at the community garden, visit the Riverside Community Gardening Facebook page.