A PASSIONATE appeal has been made to save Highbridge's doomed library.

Town councillor Janet Keen has called on Somerset County Council to spare the facility from the axe and increase its opening hours on a three-month trial basis.

The Weekly News reported in October how county chiefs were set to call time on the Market Street building (pictured) as it was one of the worst performing libraries in Somerset.

Cllr Keen told fellow town councillors at a meeting last night: “The library service is highly valuable because everyone can use it; either for leisure, studies or finding out about their local quiz.

“Highbridge has a very low number of users but the opening hours could be the reason.”

The library opens for three hours on a Tuesday, six and a half hours on a Thursday, and three and a half hours on a Saturday.

Cllr Keen suggested the library should stay open longer for three months, to see if visitor numbers increase.

She added: “If the political will were present a compromise could be reached to all of our benefit.”

Town councillors overwhelmingly backed the idea, with Cllr Chris Williams adding: “If it works here it might work somewhere else.”

Somerset County Council, which is currently carrying out a review of library services across the county, moved a step closer this week to making major cutbacks which could also affect Highbridge's recycling centre and local arts groups, roads, youth clubs and other services, as reported in last week's Weekly News.

On Monday, the council's cabinet voted unanimously in favour of recommending £43million worth of cuts, and warned a further £30million may have to be saved.