The site for a multi-million pound library in Lewes has been bought.

East Sussex County Council has purchased the land at Lewes House, off Friars Walk, Lewes, taking a major step towards providing a new library for the town.

The council, responsible for providing library services, has exchanged contracts with the owners, Lewes District Council, after months of negotiations.

The county council has agreed to fund a new library to the tune of almost £2 million and the project will also receive a £550,000 grant for a literature centre.

But the library's future design remains dependent on a further £500,000 being raised.

Meg Stroude, lead county council Cabinet member for legal and community services, said the deal meant people in the Lewes area could look forward to a new library.

She said: "Our shared ambition is that the new library is in accordance with the current design but this is dependent on the fund-raising objective being met and tender prices coming in on target. We are all working hard to achieve that.

"We are very grateful to the Friends of Lewes Library and hope their campaign is successful."

Ann de Vecchi, leader of the district council, said she was thrilled the deal had gone through.

She said: "This was overwhelmingly the most popular proposal for the use of this valuable and sensitive site in the historic core and we look forward to a library fit for the 21st Century everyone can be proud of."

The district council may use some of the land for its own use, such as offices, if campaigners do not raise enough of the £500,000 shortfall.

No decision will be taken until the autumn, but if the Friends have not raised enough the council could plump for a smaller building.

Tenders will be invited in the autumn and the project could be at risk again if bids are significantly above the three-year-old £2.6 million estimate to build the library.

A campaign has been launched in a bid to raise the missing funds.

Donations can be made to Friends of Lewes Library Fund c/o Friends of Lewes, Lewes Town Council offices, Corn Exchange Buildings, High Street, Lewes BN7 2DE.

A gift aid scheme is in place.

For further information, contact Joy Preston on 01273 475809.