A COMMUNITY has joined together in a bid to save its under threat library.

Residents of Aldeburgh have voiced serious concerns about Suffolk County Council’s plans to stop their beloved service in Victory Road.

The authority is trying to save money and has said a number of libraries will have to close – unless people come forward and run them themselves.

Around 100 Aldeburgh residents turned out for a meeting at the parish church on Wednesday night to discuss the next step forward.

A community group was formed and it will now investigate the possibility of running the library should it be axed.

It is made up of eight people with a range of expertise including town councillors, a former librarian, experts in volunteering and school representatives.

Tony Bone, chairman of the Aldeburgh Society, who is sitting on the group, said: “It’s a very positive step. Initially I think there will be two parts to what we are doing.

“First of all we think the county council is being unreasonable in wanting to close libraries – if it does do that then we believe it is not meeting its obligations under the relevant legislation. Secondly – if we do have to take over the running of the library – we have to look in to the feasibility of doing that, key to which is understanding the finances, both now and in the future.”

The group will be meeting tomorrow to discuss ideas and is hoping to meet with representatives from the county council next week.

It then plans to hold another get together with members of the public at the beginning of April to inform them of their plans.

The county council is currently consulting on its proposals and has urged people to send in their views.

It has also said it would be happy to talk to any group interested in taking over a library and denies that it is failing to meet its statutory obligations.