AN eleventh hour U-turn has been ordered on controversial plans to sell off three East Lancashire libraries - with a fourth set to be saved and reopened as a partnership.

Campaigners have fought a determined battle to keep Whalley Library and Spring Wood Children’s Centre.

But now under County Hall’s new Conservative administration, the sale of the Abbey Road building, which had an asking price of £400,000, has been halted.

And moves to hive off library buildings in Earby and Barrowford have also been overturned by an emergency order proposed by new county council leader Cllr Geoff Driver and ratified by chief executive Jo Turton.

Proposals are also being drawn up to reopen Oswaldtwistle Library, which was also mothballed and had attracted interest from a friends group, anxious to resume services there.

Cllr Joyce Holgate, who represents Whalley on Ribble Valley Council, said: “I hope the library will reopen soon as it was so important, especially for older people who lived nearby.”

Neil Martin, of the Save Whalley Library Campaign, said he was aware the building had been taken off the market and a meeting was being arranged over its future. Library supporters were in talks with the Lancaster Foundation in a bid to preserve the service.

County Cllr Peter Britcliffe, who is also the mayor of Hyndburn,said: “This is great news because libraries are so valuable with the services they offer to community groups, clubs and schools.

“I am delighted that we have managed to overturn this dreadful Labour cut so early on in this administration.”

He confirmed he is seeking a meeting with County Cllr Peter Buckley, new cabinet member for community and cultural services, to advance plans for the county council to reopen Oswaldtwistle in partnership with the Friends of Oswaldtwistle Library group.

Under the previous regime, Labour chiefs argued their hands had been tied by huge savings requirements placed on them by the Conservative government, in making cuts to the library service. Clayton-le-Moors Library, formerly in the civic hall, was taken over by community volunteers and now operates from the Arthur Wilson Centre.