IT WAS badly damaged when a car crashed through the wall, leaving the driver and their passenger trapped among the debris.

But civic chiefs say taxpayers will not have to foot the bill for extensive repairs to Hythe Library, which was closed for a week after the accident last October.

The cost of repairs to the single-storey building off Pylewell Road will be met by the motorist's insurance company.

The hole in the back of Hythe library was boarded up after the crash.

The hole in the back of Hythe library was boarded up after the crash.

Part of the facility was wrecked in the incident, which left the floor littered with books, broken furniture and parts of the wall itself.

The brickwork has been repaired, internal plastering and decorating has been completed, and new book shelves have been ordered.

A county council spokesperson said: "Repair work is progressing as planned and we expect it to be completed by late January/early February.

"The library has remained open to customers.

"We will not have a final figure on the cost until the works are completed but it will be covered by the driver's insurance company."

A car crashed through the back wall of Hythe Library last October, causing extensive damage to the building. Picture: Cllr Malcolm Wade.

A car crashed through the back wall of Hythe Library last October, causing extensive damage to the building. Picture: Cllr Malcolm Wade.

The crash happened on Sunday, when the 20-year-old library was closed.

Two people in the car managed to free themselves from the vehicle but were unable to get out of the building.

Firefighters managed to enter the library and lead them to safety. They were provided with emergency care before being handed over to South Central Ambulance Service (SCAS).

A SCAS spokesperson later confirmed that neither casualty was taken to hospital.

People were advised to use the libraries at Lymington or Totton. Nearby Blackfield used to have one but it fell victim to budget cuts.

Speaking at the time Cllr Edward Heron, the county council’s executive member for recreation, said: “We are extremely relieved that no one was seriously injured as a result of this incident and that Hythe library was closed at the time.

“Our property team is currently taking detailed assessments of the damage, which is extensive and mainly in the adults’ library section."