LIBRARY users across East Lancashire have been left facing waits of up to half an hour to log on to public access computers because of persistent glitches.

County library service bosses announced last week that the system would be out of action for two days while a new booking system was installed.

But problems began to emerge last Friday when users trying to undertake sessions were told they were in 200-strong queues before they could use the machines.

Users were then forced to wait between 10 minutes and half an hour while the system logged on other terminals across Lancashire.

The system crashed completely in a problem which staff said was affecting libraries across the county, around Monday lunchtime, leaving users facing further delays. Library user David Edwards, from Colne, said: “I was at Nelson Library earlier today and the system told me I was in a queue of 210 people.

“And when I came to Colne later, to use one of the half-hour computers downstairs, I couldn’t get on the network at all. It’s been very frustrating.”

Julie Bell, manager of Lancashire County Council’s library service, said: “We have experienced a few teething problems after upgrading our system to make it easier for people to book a computer session online.

“We’re sorry for any inconvenience this may have caused and we are working to fix the problem as soon as possible.

“In the meantime, Wi-Fi is still available in our libraries for people to use on their own electronic devices.”