Launceston's Liberal Democrat Councillors have launched a campaign to save the town's library which is threatened with closure by Cornwall Council.

As few as nine libraries across Cornwall could be retained under plans by the council to save around £1 million per year from the service.

"Launceston Library is a vital local service," said Alex Folkes, Liberal Democrat Councillor for Launceston Central, "it is used by thousands of people who live in Launceston and in the surrounding villages. If our library is closed then the nearest alternative is likely to be at least 20 miles away."

He continued: "Our library serves a very wide range of people. With its large print books and reading groups, it provides a service that people cannot get anywhere else. Its network of volunteers deliver hundreds of books each week to people who cannot get into town themselves.

"Since the threat to our library became public, many people have been in touch to ask for it to be saved including children as young as six. Cutting front line services like this is simply not acceptable."

The county councillor added: "As the BBC revealed, Cornwall Council's ruling Conservative led administration produced a plan to save the money by reducing our library network to just nine locations across Cornwall. They even considered a plan to have just three libraries.

"Now they say that they still want to save the same amount of money but don't have a clue how they will do it. Local people know that such savings can only come through closing branches and they are determined not to let this happen."

"We are collecting petition signatures across Cornwall with the help of people who want to save our libraries. We will also be making a formal proposal to Cornwall Council calling for them to think again," Cllr Folkes added.