FIVE East Lancashire libraries will open on Monday July 27.

They are Accrington, Coal Clough in Burnley, Nelson, Rawtenstall and Whalley.

But residents will need to book an appointment before visiting.

The Lancashire County Council-run libraries have been closed since March when the coronavirus restrictions were introduced with mobile libraries off the road and buildings closed to the public.

The opening hours of the reopened libraries will be Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm.

Customers will need to book an appointment.

Other county council libraries will remain closed for now.

The home library service will also be available from Thursday July 23, prioritising our most vulnerable customers. Library staff will choose books and arrange delivery to borrowers..

Cllr Peter Buckley, Lancashire County Council's cultural services boss, said: "Libraries provide a vital service for our communities and I am glad we can now announce reopening some of them.

"Although we are really looking forward to welcoming our customers back into our libraries, it is obvious that we need to take a phased, step-by-step approach to this. That's why we are opening up 12 of our libraries for now, and offering limited services."

Blackburn and Darwen central libraries have already reopened.