THE imminent demise of the mobile library service in the north Cotswolds is to be marked by a children’s protest in Blockley next week.

Children in the village who regularly use the library are to hand over letters expressing their sadness and disappointment that Gloucestershire County Council is axing the service to save money.

Library campaigner Carlin Anderson of Fenhill Close, Bourton-on-the-Hill, is helping organise the demonstration of support for the library when it makes one of its few remaining visits to Blockley on Thursday, April 21.

Subject to a cabinet member decision, the mobile library is due to make its final visit to Todenham, Bourton-on-the-Hill, Willersey, Mickleton, Draycott and Blockley on Thursday, July 14.

Mrs Anderson’s four grandchildren – Mily, 10, Francesca, nine, and seven-year-old twins Ruby and Alfie – live in Station Road, Blockley, and all use the mobile library when it visits Springfield in the village. “At least 20 children use the mobile library in Blockley regularly,” said Mrs Anderson She said GCC should have considered other alternatives to completely axing the service. “I can see they have to make savings but I do think savings could be made with the mobile library in other ways. Perhaps they could have had longer times between visits or maybe change the hours of the visits. I’ve made these suggestions but all to no avail.”

She urged Blockley residents young and old to come along to show support for the mobile library when it stops in Springfield off Station Road in the village just after 3pm on Thursday, April 21.

Cabinet member responsible for libraries on GCC, Coun Antonia Noble said: “Before any mobile library services are withdrawn, we will be talking to users to ensure we assess the needs of those affected.”