ROSSENDALE Council chiefs today reassured library users in Waterfoot that the service would not be axed.

The move comes after plans were announced yesterday to close three neighbourhood centres under shake-up plans of council services.

The council is proposing to move the town hall from Rawtenstall to Futures Park in Bacup -- with more than 100 members of staff set to move.

People living in Waterfoot have raised concerns about losing the town's library as it is housed in the same building as the Waterfoot Neighbourhood Office - one of the facilities set for the chop.

The Whitworth and Haslingden branches are also set to close as part of the plans.

Waterfoot resident and trader Steve Taylor said: "The library has been an important community service in Waterfoot for more than 40 years.

We can't risk losing such a vital service.

"It would be a devastating blow to the community as it has been extremely well used by people of all ages for many decades.

"The last thing Waterfoot needs is to lose something as fundamental as its library."

In a report due to go to next Wednesday's executive committee council bosses say the building will be offered to Lancashire County Council for purchase. If they decline that option it is recommended that it is sold on the open market.

But a senior council spokesman insisted: "I understand that people have been expressing concern about this issue. The library will not close.

"It will be offered to Lancashire County Council for purchase.

"If they don't want to buy it then we will keep the library open and let the rest of the building to somebody else.

"The capital receipts from closure of the building aren't vital to our overall plans but we want to save the revenue costs of us staffing it."

Coun Christine Lamb said: "If there is any risk of losing the library then we must do all we can to make sure the library stays in Waterfoot.

"It's an important community service that many people rely on. I can remember it being around for at least 48 years and it always providing a good service for local people."