Oldbury’S brand new landmark £6million library and council offices is on the verge of completion.

Sandwell Council will get the keys to Jack Judge House this week making it one of the most environmentally friendly buildings in the Midlands.

The building, which houses the new Oldbury library and offices for 300 Sandwell Council staff, will emit a seventh of the carbon used by the buildings it replaces.

The building is named after Jack Judge, the Oldbury-born songwriter who wrote the timeless classic It's a Long Way to Tipperary.

The building is the latest to be built West Midlands-based construction company Morgan Sindall.

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for youth, culture and leisure Cllr Ann Shackleton said: "It's very exciting to think Oldbury will have a brand new library in January.

"The facilities will be fantastic and a real change of scenery from our old building just down the road."

Sandwell Council's cabinet member for safer neighbourhoods Cllr Derek Rowley said: "This new building is an incredible example of sustainable construction. The fact that it will emit just a seventh of the carbon compared to the buildings it replaces is a testament to the design and building work that has gone into the project."

Dave Smith, Morgan Sindall's area director, added: "We will be delighted to unveil the completed library building to Sandwell Council.

"We pride ourselves on delivering the highest standards of sustainable construction for all our customers and we are confident the new library offers a contemporary and environmentally-friendly space that will benefit the local community."

The building’s high-tech design means the concrete floor slabs act like radiators to keep the place warm, solar panels are in the roof, energy efficient lighting, triple glazing and cavity wall insulation.

To find out more about the new library, contact 0121 552 5933.