Library friends group will hold its first meeting

Friends of Thornton and Cleveleys Library will hold an open event at Wyre Civic Centre.

Lancashire County Council has earmarked both facilities for closure as part of a package aimed at saving more than £250m.

The authority argues it must make savings as a result of cuts to central Government funding.

But campaigners in Wyre insist that does not mean the libraries should shut.

Proposals have been put forward to transfer Wyre’s libraries to a not-for-profit community interest company.

A similar model is already is use in York but Lancashire County Council, currently engaged in a 12 week consultation on the closures, has not yet agreed to talks on the subject.

Among those backing the plan is Wyre’s Coun Kerry Jones – a former library service employee who has been a vocal opponent of the County Hall plans.

She is among the figures who will attend tonight’s meeting in the Members’ Lounge.

The meeting, which will establish key roles in the group, will begin at 6pm and all are welcome.