THE consultation on East Lancashire libraries’ opening hours starts on Monday.

The eight-week exercise will give users the chance to put their views on the new timetable.

It was devised to fulfil the new Lancashire County Council Tory administration’s promise to reopen libraries shut or earmarked for closure by their Labour predecessors.

The proposals caused controversy as several will see their hours reduced.

The include: Whalley down from 36 to 34; and Oswaldtwistle from 35.5 to 34; Chorley from 51 to 50; and Rishton from 35 to 34.

County Liberal Democrat leader Cllr David Whipp has objected to the reductions.

The consultation will run until Sunday November 26.

Cllr Peter Buckley, County Cultural Services boss, said: “I would encourage everyone involved to let us have their views.