Campaigners protest at Nottinghamshire library cuts

More than 80 events have been held across the UK in protest at cuts to library services

Protests have taken place at libraries in Nottinghamshire by campaigners angry at cuts to services.

A series of "read-ins" have taken place at Beeston, Sneinton and Stapleford libraries as part of a national protest day against cuts to library services.

From April, opening hours at some county libraries will be halved because of council budget cuts.

Nottinghamshire County Council says it has revised its original plans so some libraries can stay open longer.

Some smaller libraries would only have opened for eight to 10 hours a week under the original plans.

After public consultation, the county council agreed to spend an extra £70,000 so smaller libraries will open several hours longer.

Councillor John Cottee said: "We are keeping all our libraries open and we are not closing any. In the good times I hope we can extend the library hours again,"

The county is also putting £400,000 back into the book budget which will mean a 50% cut rather than a proposed 75% cut.

The original budget proposal called for 28 libraries to have their opening hours reduced to between eight and 10 hours a week from April.

The council is reducing its total budget by £150m over three years with up to 3,000 posts at risk.