Brought to book over cuts threat

They have been backed in their fight by Fylde MP Mark Menzies, who has already voiced his objection to the principal of library services being cut amid swingeing cuts by Lancashire County Council, which will see 40 of 74 libraries across the county close their doors.

The County Council will announce later this year which libraries will be axed and in the meantime, campaigners across Fylde have been showing the strength of feeling again the proposals with various events.

A ‘read-in’ held at Freckleton on Saturday attracted a large number of library users and a Friends of Freckleton Library organisation has been set up to co-ordinate the campaign.

Chairman Brian Willis said: “We feel we have a strong case and hope we can keep the library open. It is so important to so many organisations and individuals in the village and with good parking, it is very accessible to those from neighbouring villages, too.”

Mr Menzies said: “I was really pleased to see so many people turn up to support Freckleton Library and hope it will remind County Hall how important these facilities are to their local communities.

“The library has a special place in many people’s hearts and holds a lot of information about the air disaster which saw an American bomber crash into a local primary school and cafe during the Second World War.

“Because of that the library receives a number of US visitors each year who are eager to find out more about what happened, and is also an important resource for local historians.

“Without it I am concerned about what will happen to those important records.

“I have written to the Secretary of State about the fairness of the process the county council is using to divide up the county’s services and the department is currently investigating and I intend to question the leader of the council on the matter.”