PEOPLE in Bidford have been urged to speak up if they want to save their village library after the parish council revealed that the service was under threat.

A leaflet and questionnaire will be appearing through parishioner’s letterboxes in the next week or so in response to Warwickshire County Council’s ‘Facing the Challenge’ initiative to transform library services.

Coun Colin Hayfield, the county council’s portfolio holder for customers, workforce and partnerships, said that a period of consultation was already underway into the cost- cutting exercise.

He said: “Our aim is to find alternative ways to provide the library services in some of our smaller communities. These are difficult times and tough choices have to be made.

“We want those who live, work or study in Warwickshire to be part of the decision-making process, and feedback received will be reported to cabinet in July to help councillors find the best way forward.”

Details of the proposed changes are available on the county council website at warwickshire.gov.uk, as well as at roadshows and community events that form part of the consultation which runs until June 9.

Bidford Parish Council made clear that it opposed any potential changes and was seeking local support in its effort to retain the service in the village.

Parish clerk Elizabeth Uggerlose said: “We have set up a steering committee to oversee the proposals and are preparing a leaflet and questionnaire which will be put through the letterbox of every household in the parish. We want to know what support we have to keep the library service as it is. It’s the only public service we have left in a village of 5,000 people; it’s not just a library, it’s a community hub and it works well. We hope to have the questionnaires ready to distribute by the end of the week, and we will need them back by April 30 in time for a community forum at Crawford Hall on May 9, from 7pm.”