CAMPAIGNERS battling to save their only means of accessing library books have been given a glimmer of hope this week.

The Weekly News reported earlier this month that Somerset County Council was considering axing four of its six mobile libraries to cut costs.

One of the book buses under threat serves people who live in Wedmore, Cocklake, Blackford, Mark Causeway, and East Huntspill every Thursday.

Villagers, backed by local MP Tessa Munt, hit out at the council's plans as many of them, especially the elderly and housebound, rely on the library to hire books, CDs, DVDs and audio books.

But hopes have been raised the bus could be saved after Ms Munt's lobbying paid off when Government Transport Minister Norman Baker this week announced £10million of extra funding for local councils to support community transport.

Ms Munt said: “I welcome this excellent news and have written to Somerset County Council for information on how they plan to use this extra money to support the variety of community bus services throughout Somerset.”

Derek Wotton from the Wedmore Community Bus scheme added: “Our bus delivers a vital service to the people of Wedmore and the surrounding villages, helping them reach the bigger towns in Somerset to which there is no direct service.”

Somerset County Council said it was too early to say what the money could be used for and it is now waiting for further details.