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: Burnley Campus down from 55 to 34; Bacup will from 38.5 to 34; Brierfield from 34.5 to 34; Barnoldswick from 46 to 42; Burnley from 51 to 50, Padiham from 40 to 34;and Nelson’s from 51 to 42.

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.