LIBRARY chiefs will have a fight on their hands if a move to relocate the Williton facility from its purpose-built village centre base goes ahead.

Williton and Minehead are the only libraries in West Somerset which will remain funded under swingeing cuts announced by Somerset County Council shortly before Christmas.

Earmarked for closure unless local community volunteers step in to run them are libraries in Watchet, Porlock, Dulverton, Bishops Lydeard, Wiveliscombe and Nether Stowey.

But both Williton and Minehead are facing a ten per cent reduction in opening hours and the council has said there may be potential for relocating Williton.

It says Williton library is close to other public service buildings - including the headquarters of West Somerset Council and the Surestart Centre - and could be relocated in one of them.

But the suggestion was rejected this week by Williton Parish Council, which made it clear it wants the library to remain where it is.

The present Killick Way base was built in 1993 and replaced a tiny, cramped facility in Long Street.

Cllr Elizabeth Peeks told parish councillors on Monday that it would be impossible to relocate the library without losing some of the facilities, including the current level of books.

"We should fight to keep it open and to keep it where it is. It was purpose built, it has easy access and it is used by people of all ages - it's a facility where people congregate."

Cllr Diane Hooper said the library also had computers with internet access for public use: "I know a number of children who don't have computers at home who use the library - I think it's very important for them to be able to continue to do that.

"Williton has already been identified as a library that is used a lot, which is why it isn't one of those closing."

But local county councillor Anthony Trollope-Bellew, whose Quantock division includes Williton, said it was important that people made their views on the library proposals known.

"I know the proposal is to keep Williton open but it is not a foregone conclusion - you never know."

Full details of the proposed cuts are available in local libraries or at http://www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries">www.somerset.gov.uk/libraries, along with an online survey for people to give their views.

The only consultation event being staged in West Somerset will take place on Monday (January 10) at Danesfield Middle School, Williton, from 5pm to 8pm.

* Wiveliscombe residents angry at the threatened clsoure of their library - which only opened six months ago - are holding a protest meeting tonight (Friday) at 7.30pm in Wiveliscombe Community Centre.