He told the Knutsford Guardian on Monday that the first signs of progress would be a board showing the colour scheme of the development.

"That will go up before Easter with the colours of the scheme on it," he said.

"The main activity won't be until after Easter as you don't have building on Easter Monday."

Mr McCloskey, of Birmingham-based Property Solutions, had said a start date would be available this week.

But the Knutsford Guardian interrupted him on his mobile phone as he collected the legal documents which have so far delayed progress.

"There is still some scurrying around to do, but we hope to finish by Christmas and that is absolutely on schedule," he said.

Knutsford has waited for more than 20 years for a new library.

This week it was not clear who would open the library, but a former Knutsford town mayor had his own idea.

"I think either this year's May Queen could do it or one child from each of the five Knutsford schools," said Bill Davies, of Glebelands Road.

"The advantage of that is that in 60 or 70 years' time there will still be people living in Knutsford who remember those who opened the library."