SCORES of people flocked to a community library on Wednesday to welcome Kingsclere favourite Clare Balding back to the village.

The 44-year-old broadcaster and writer, who is originally from Kingsclere, read extracts from her forthcoming children’s books to around 35 children and invited youngsters to contribute exciting new plot ideas at the event at Kingsclere Community Library, in George Street.

She also spoke about her time working for BBC during the 2012 London Olympic Games and allowed the children to have their picture taken with the Olympic Torch which she carried through Newbury.

The 44-year-old ended her talk by urging children to never give up and to share the activities they excelled at.

In the evening, around 80 people enjoyed hearing anecdotes about her early life in Kingsclere, the Olympic Games, her BBC Radio 4 programme, Ramblings, as well as her books – My Animals and Other Family and Walking Home – My Family and Other Rambles.

Ms Balding urged the audience to support the library by buying copies of her books as gifts as the proceeds would be donated to the community-run library.

Nicki Lee, a volunteer co-ordinator at the library, told The Gazette: “Clare Balding’s visit was a tremendous help to finances through ticket sales to adults (children were free).

“Everyone thoroughly enjoyed her talks and we are so grateful that she was so very generous with her time. She stayed on to sign copies of her books for every person in the line.”

The two ticketed events raised around £800 for the library which was taken over by volunteers in April.

Since April, around 50 people from Kingsclere and surrounding villages have volunteered their time to keep the library open on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays.

Although Hampshire County Council still provides a computer system which accepts any Hampshire library card and sends a librarian for a couple of hours per week, all expenses and running costs need to be raised by the community.

The library was awarded funds for the running of the library which will see them receive £2,750 in the first year and £2,500 and £2,250 for the subsequent years.