HUNDREDS of people attended Torfaen libraries during November's Libraries Fortnight to take part in a variety of events. Libraries Fortnight comprised a programme of free events for all the family in libraries and local communities across Wales.

The festival was granted the Inspire mark by the London 2012 Inspire programme which recognises innovative and exceptional projects that are directly inspired by the 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

In Torfaen more than 250 new members joined the library during the fortnight.

Events included: * Faster, Higher, Stronger: which gave young people in Cwmbran Library the opportunity to have a go at a rock band kit, rapping, MCing, beatboxing and lyric writing, with the support of Funeral For A Friend guitarist Darran Smith. The event can be seen on www.youtube.com/WelshLibraries and will be recorded onto CD.

* Author Jenny Sullivan visited Cwmbran library and spoke about her work to two classes of children * In the week that it was announced that the Olympic Torch would be passing through Torfaen, storyteller Daniel Morden told stories from Ancient Greece, Birthplace of the Games, to five classes from Blaenavon Heritage VC Primary School.

* Storyteller Michael Harvey visited Pontypool library and told traditional stories to classes from four Pontypool schools.

* Two groups of adult learners got the chance to work with writer and broadcaster Phil Carradice * TV and radio presenter Sara Edwards dropped in to Cwmbran library's weekly Bookstart Rhymetime to read stories, and promoted the benefits of libraries and the importance of sharing books with under fives There were a further 200 visitors attending the regular programme of activities including arts events, class visits, IT drop in and family history sessions, BBC First click sessions, reading groups and story and rhyme times.

Former Olympic athlete Jamie Baulch and Paralympian Nathan Stephens launched Libraries Fortnight earlier this month.

Councillor Lewis Jones, Torfaen Council's deputy leader, said: "Libraries Fortnight was a huge success and we had a superb response from Torfaen citizens who came out in force to support the diverse programme of events which really showcased the broad range of services on offer in our libraries."