Library campaigners celebrated St David’s Day by hosting a radio event dedicated to a famous Welsh poet.

Crowds turned up to listen to Members of Friends of Preston Library (FOPL) do an unrehearsed read-through of Dylan Thomas’ play Under Milk Wood.

The group completed their feat in three-and-a-half hours after following direction, via a two-minute phone call, from an international theatre director from Drama Centre.

They were joined by members of the Harrow Caledonian Society during the reading which was also a tribute to the centenary of the poet and the 60th anniversary of the famous radio broadcast starring the late Welsh actor Richard Burton.

Geraldine Cook, FOPL member, said: “We didn’t know how many people would turn up nor how this would be able to be performed but it was a success and we received support from as far afield as the Welsh society of Chicago.”

After the reading, on Friday, the participants enjoyed a well-deserved bowl of leek soup before singing Welsh songs.

FOPL was formed when Brent Council closed Preston, Neasden, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Tokyngton and Barham libraries in 2011 to save £1million.