At an official ceremony Clr Bert Grange and two local schoolchildren struggled to cut the first sod of grass as the project finally got off the ground.

In his address to those gathered next to the council offices in Toft Road, Clr Grange said the new building would be enjoyed by future generations in Knutsford.

"Elizabeth Gaskell would have been proud of this achievement for our town," he said.

As lorries thundered past on Toft Road and jets roared overhead, there was relief on the faces of those involved in the £1million development.

Seddon's builders had moved on to the site near Booth's car park days earlier, but yesterday was the 'moment of glory' for those involved.

Manor Park School pupil Stephanie Haslem and Greig Wimberley, of St Vincent's, made history as they helped Clr Grange dig into the grass verge.

Among those in the crowd was widow Brenda Veal who had to move from her home of 47 years to make way for the library.

"It has been very emotional for me, but I am as excited as anybody about this library," she said.

After the job was done, group librarian Barbara West admitted she was relieved that work could finally start.

It will be the first Cheshire County Council library since Macclesfield got its facility nearly 10 years ago.

"I have been nervous about this for two days, but I am calming down now," she said.

Knutsford architect Morten Lindholt, who described the library plans as his most complex design ever, was joined by his wife for the historic occasion.

"For me it was built in my own mind as soon as the design work had been done," he said.

Residents, though, will have to wait and see.

Yesterday, developer Matt McCloskey said the new library, which will include a special section dedicated to Elizabeth Gaskell, would be completed by Christmas.