PRESTWICH's three "satellite" libraries could retain some community use when they are sold off.

Bury Council says that it has to sell the libraries as part of local government savings, but it hopes that all three will retain community use.

The council is applying to the Deputy Prime Minister, John Prescott, whose many responsibilities include the Department of the Environment, for approval to sell off Polefield and Brooklands libraries to bidders they favour - although they are not the highest bids they have received.

At Polefield the council is supporting the bid of a local doctor to move his practice into the premises.

And the bid for Brooklands is for its use as a public hall for non-residential education and as a place of worship for local Muslims.

Bury Council's land and economic development sub-committee chairman, Councillor Tony Isherwood, said: "We have discussed all the alternatives put forward and we are committed to keeping the library buildings for community use.

"Local MP Ivan Lewis is giving us his support and will help press matters with the minister. We need permission because in both cases the council has opted to accept bids which, while we think they are most suitable, are not the highest. However, they do retain some community use of these premises, which is what the public want to see."

The council expects a decision to take several months and in the meantime the existing library facilities will continue.

Meanwhile, an agreement has been reached on the sale of the third library hit by the cuts, Carr Clough.

The building will definitely be retained for community use by a local church organisation.

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