ROSSENDALE'S MP is asking her own her own party to give a closure-threatened borough library a six-month reprieve.

Waterfoot Library, alongside two others, has been earmarked for closure under cost-saving plans by Lancashire County Council.

Labour's Janet Anderson and Rossendale councillor David Hancock wrote to their decision-making counterparts at County Hall requesting a reprieve.

Mrs Anderson said: "If all 550 people who signed the petition had used the library, then it might not be under threat.

"Councillor Hancock and I have written to Coun Chris Cheetham at Lancashire County Council to ask for a six-month reprieve, to give us time to persuade signatories to put their custom where their signature is!"

Rossendale Labour party leader Coun David Hancock added: "The proposed closure of the library in Waterfoot is a blow to us all. I predicted it last year when Rossendale Council decided to sell the building. But we are asking both councils to give the Waterfoot community an extension of six months so we can prove what a valued contribution this facility is to us.

"We want to use this time to increase usage. We've asked Rossendale and county whether the library would have a future in the building it now occupies and asked county to hold back on the closure."

Leader of Lancashire County Council and Rossendale North representative Hazel Harding said: "The decision has been taken and the budget based around that decision.

"I have people coming from Chorley asking me the same thing. It used to be the case where a decision of the county council had been made, it couldn't be re-visited for six months and I think that still stands. I understand peoples' concerns but the library will close.

"In Fence it's a different situation because the community is going to try and raise the funds and has asked if we would give access to books.

"We could talk to people in Waterfoot along those lines but we don't own the building it's owned by the district council."

Meanwhile, campaigning continues to keep Wheatley Lane and Ightenhill Libraries open, despite Lancashire County Council deciding their closure.

County bosses have offered continued use of the Wheatley Lane building in Fence so long as organisers find full financing for it, as officials say they cannot afford the £13,800 running costs.

Former Wheatley Lane librarian Shirley Ellis, who was awarded the OBE for her services to libraries, said: "The building has recently been renovated inside and out. All we have to do now is find that funding and expand the possible uses."