MOVIE legend Edward Fox has officially opened the new Corfe Castle Community Library.

More than 100 people attended a ceremony and Champagne reception to mark the milestone occasion yesterday.

The Day of the Jackal star, who lives near Wareham, praised the efforts of villagers for their work to safeguard the library’s future.

Quoting author Antony Trollope, he also said: “If we could all remember what we read, we would all be much more educated.”

The opening follows months of work by The Friends Of Corfe Castle Library, who pledged to save their village library after County Hall announced in July 2011 it was closing as part of a programme of cuts.

However, Dorset County Council later backed a proposal by the group to take over the facility and run it as a community library.

Speaking after the official opening, Friends of Corfe Castle Library chairman Alison Allwright said: “I am delighted by the positive outcome of everyone’s hard work and I am very excited about the future.”

Meanwhile, Cllr Nigel Dragon, from Purbeck District Council, said: “It was nice to see so many people supporting such a great village asset.”

Among those attending the ceremony were children and teachers from Corfe Castle Primary School. Headteacher Nigel Beckett said: “This sends the right kind of message, both to the village and the children.”

Castle Inn landlord Mark Turner told the Daily Echo the grand opening was a hugely successful affair. He said: “This is fantastic for everyone. It is not just books, it now makes sure the internet is available to everyone in the village.”