Backed by more than £309,000 from the Government and £40,000 in council match funding from section 106 funds, the initiative is designed to support rural and disadvantaged areas by providing access to books, digital skills and community activities.

According to the local authority, the vehicle will also serve new housing developments with reduced cultural infrastructure, delivering benefits such as work-skills development, as well as resources to improve children’s literacy and early years activity.

The project is both low-carbon and cost-efficient, while offering a flexible, accessible, and inclusive model of community outreach.

Cllr Mike Solomon, Cabinet Member for Culture, Community Services and Safety at North Somerset Council said: ‘Libraries are about opportunity for everyone - about removing barriers to reading, learning and culture.

‘This electric outreach vehicle helps us do exactly that, in more places and for more people, while supporting our environmental ambitions and our commitment to a modern, responsive library service.’

Philli Milne, a relationship manager from Arts Council England, said: ‘This innovative project marks an exciting step forward in making a more accessible, sustainable and modern library service for communities across North Somerset.

‘But, more importantly, it represents something far bigger – a commitment to bringing creativity, knowledge and opportunity directly to people who can benefit from it most.’

Sign up here to receive our free weekly news bulletin and quarterly e-book.