FORMER newshound Kate Adie turned to answering the questions as she attended an event in Puddletown in support of the village library.

The former war reporter gave a talk about her life followed by a question and answer session at Puddletown Village Hall to raise money for campaigners fighting to keep the local library going.

The facility was one of nine libraries to lose core funding from Dorset County Council but supporters are hoping to keep it running themselves.

The council is offering to support any local community wishing to take on the libraries, but the Friends groups will be responsible for running the facilities and supplying volunteers.

Ex-BBC chief news correspondent Mrs Adie proved a popular guest at the packed village hall and stayed behind to enjoy dinner with locals after the event.

Chairman of the Friends of Puddletown Library Mike Chaney said: “Kate filled Puddletown’s Village Hall to bursting point.

“She stayed on after her lively talk and spirited response to a great many questions about her exciting career and the future of the media to share a buffet supper with her audience and sign a great many autographs.”

Mrs Adie said she was happy to support the Puddletown Library campaigners in their efforts as she was a strong believer in the role of village libraries.

She said: “They play such a vital part in rural life that I am delighted to be able to help the people of Puddletown keep their library open.”

Mr Chaney said the Friends group was still waiting for the money to come in but it was likely to be a significant boost to their fundraising efforts and the campaigners were also in the process of applying for a number of grants to fund their running of the library He said that the Puddletown Friends were now keen to get a move on and make progress with their plans, although Dorset County Council’s library service could not guarantee that the handover would happen before October.

Treasurer Stephen Buck added: “The volunteers are itching to get to work extending both the range of activities offered within the library building and the hours of opening.”