A COMMUNITY’S bid to save its popular library has taken a giant step forward.

Framlingham Town Council has now set the ball rolling on an ambitious project to safeguard the service.

The library in Bridge Street is one of a number earmarked for closure by Suffolk County Council – unless residents comes forward to run it themselves.

The town council has now formed an official library committee and sent its letter of intent to bosses at Endeavour House.

As well as keeping the core library service the plans include relocating the town council offices to the library building, renting out the top-floor room to generate income, creating a tourist information centre and opening a Fairtrade internet cafe. Members also want the building to be transferred to the town council at nil cost along with some transitional funding and a structural survey of the premises.

It is also hoped to establish a Friends of Framlingham Library group to help with fundraising and volunteers.

The proposals will be showcased at a public meeting at Sir Robert Hitcham Primary School at 7pm on May 20.

Eileen Coe, clerk to the town council, said: “Everyone can come along and share their views. The ideas are not set in stone and we want to hear people’s suggestions. The library is a fabulous building and we want to keep and enhance the service for the town.”