AN 'important' library at the heart of a university campus which was closed has now been reopened to the public.

The Burnley Campus Library was one of 26 of Lancashire's centre's to close last year following a series of cuts.

However following the new administration was elected in May, a decision was made to re-open the library as well as others throughout the county.

The Barden Lane library opening coincided with Lancashire Day, which was marked by a display of old photographs of the town's history.

The centre was reopened by County Cllr Peter Buckley, cabinet member for community and cultural services.

He said: "Local libraries are a vital service at the heart of our communities, providing free access to books, information, and the internet for leisure and learning alike.

"Burnley Campus Library is an important part of the wider facilities on the same site which include a primary school, special school, nursery school, and sixth-form, providing a valuable service to everyone who visits the campus as well as the wider community.

"We're committed to reopening libraries wherever they've been closed, and I'm very pleased to be able to reopen Burnley Campus Library.

"This marks another important milestone in our programme to reopen libraries, and I look forward to reopening many more over the coming months."

Plans had been agreed in recent months to reopen some of the closed libraries.

The Burnley Campus centre was the third to reopen following Silverdale Library and Parbold Library.

The county council also announced it has decided to reopen 13 other libraries and agreed to transfer the ownership of a further six centre's to organisations, these will be operated as independent community libraries.

The new opening times for Burnley Campus Library are 9am to 7pm Monday, closed on Tuesday, 9am to 5pm on Wednesday, 9am to 1pm on Thursday, 9am to 5pm on Friday, 9am to 1pm on Saturday and closed on Sunday.

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said: "As someone who was the librarian in former Burnley Sixth Form Centre I am delighted to see this excellent facility reopen.

"The library at the Burnley Campus is an asset not just to students but to the entire community.

"I am saddened though that Government funding cuts to Lancashire County Council day in day out force difficult funding decisions and I sincerely hope that the costs associated with the reopening of this and other libraries have not come at the expense of adult and child social care.

"I say this because I am acutely aware of a reduction in both these services."