LIBRARIES under threat in the Tamworth area have met with mixed fortunes as Warwickshire County Council made a final decision on their future.

Despite tremendous efforts by local residents to save it, Kingsbury Library is to close on March 31 next year.

Dordon Library will be run by 'The Friends of Dordon Library', with the current building being shared with a local dance school.

Baddesley Library will be sold and the service relocated to the village hall to be managed by Baddesley Ensor Parish Council.

The 'Friends of Kingsbury Library' said they were "very disappointed".

Spokesman for the group, Jean Thomas, said: "We would like to thank everyone who attended the public meeting held in March and the headmaster, Mr Simon Coton, for all his hard work in liaising with the Friends of Kingsbury Library to try to keep a library in the village.

"We would also like to offer special thanks to Julie, our librarian, who will be greatly missed by everyone.

"We fought very hard to save this library, but to no avail."

Grants will be available for community groups who are going to run libraries to help them with procedures such as installing self-service machines and building modifications so they can begin to operate by next April.

The community groups will be supported by library staff, with a package including training, a helpline and quarterly visits.

The community libraries will continue to receive refreshed book stock, discounted rent and equipment such as IT and photocopiers.

Cllr Colin Hayfield, Warwickshire County Council's portfolio holder for Customers, Access and Physical Assets, said: "I know how much libraries mean to people and the outstanding response of communities has reflected that.

"Community groups have risen to the challenge and come forward with innovative and imaginative options for providing a library service in their locality.

"It would have been easy to accept that they would not have a library, but these groups have rallied round and have presented their communities with some very exciting opportunities for how they can access their local library service.

"I very much hope that these community libraries prosper and that the effort and enthusiasm that has gone into drawing up these proposals is rewarded."

The precise opening hours of the remaining libraries have yet to be finalised.

Cllr Hayfield added: "The transformation of the library service will create a modern and dynamic operation that is fit for purpose in the 21st century.

"People's needs and expectations from libraries are changing and we have to meet these within the constraints of finding the necessary savings."