ANGRY bookworms have launched a petition to save their local library from closure.

Readers who use the public library at Queen's Park High School, Shadsworth, were furious to discover that the facility would be closing this summer, to make way for two additional classrooms.

Regular library user Ann Hughes heard about the plans when she got talking to a librarian as she borrowed a book.

Ann, an avid reader, said: "I was shocked. I use the library several times a week and the local people have been given no official notification of its closure. We'll be devastated when we lose it.

"The library is very well-used by people such as pensioners and children - members of the community who find it far more convenient than going into Blackburn town centre."

Ann has already distributed copies of the petition to local shops and hopes that other residents will join her campaign.

She added: "At the very least, I want the chance to find out why the library has to close."

A Blackburn Council spokesman confirmed that the library would be closing in July, at the end of the school term.

He added: "The library is being closed to make way for more school accommodation. It is a budget saving measure and the facility will be replaced by a mobile library service."

But residents slammed the promised mobile unit. Ann added: "We have been told that the mobile library will only run one half day each week and that is pretty useless to many people. Mobile libraries also have a very limited stock of books."

Details about the new service will be available nearer the time.

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