CAMPAIGNERS fighting to stop the closure of 11 Somerset libraries - including two in West Somerset - are awaiting a High Court decision they hope will keep the doors open.

And although the result of a judicial review hearing could take between two weeks and two months to be announced, local activists have declared themselves "quietly confident" of a positive outcome.

Watchet and Porlock are among the libraries threatened by Somerset County Council's cost-cutting proposals, which have been delayed after objectors won an injunction preventing any closure until the outcome of a judicial review.

And campaigners from Watchet were among a contingent from Somerset who attended the High Court in Birmingham for the three-day hearing last week, shared with campaigners in Gloucester fighting a similar battle.

Watchet library user Rebecca Hird is being used as a test case for the Somerset-wide legal action.

And members of Watchet Library Friends, including treasurer John Irven and his wife Rachel and chairman Peter Murphy and his wife Liz, were joined by Geoffrey Stoate, whose father gave Watchet's library building to the town, and Gareth and Kay Hoskins from the Friends of Somerset Libraries.

They heard two days of evidence and argument presented by Helen Mountfield QC for the claimants.

A spokesman for the campaigners said the judge, Mr Justice McKenna, had been told that the county council had acted unlawfully by failing to discharge its duties under the 1964 Libraries Act, discriminating against disabled and disadvantaged users under the 2010 Equalities Act and had also improperly consulted users.

Ms Mountfield claimed the county council had decided on a budget cut and then attempted to fit the service to it, rather than assess its legal obligations and the needs of users through proper needs, analysis and consultation.

The consultation period between December 15 last year and January 14 2011 was described as unreasonably short, hampered by the Christmas and New Year break and severe snow.

No consultation meetings were held in many of the areas earmarked to lose their libraries, including Watchet, depriving local users of the chance to take part in the debate before any decisions were taken.

Ms Mountfield asked for the county council's decisions to be quashed and costs awarded to the claimants.

But James Gouldie QC, representing the county council, insisted the council had acted completely properly and professionally, had not acted unlawfully and asked for the case to be dismissed.

Following the hearing, John Irven said he was quietly confident that justice would be done for thousands of library users on whose behalf the case had been brought.

"The judge has stated that he will carefully consider and weigh up all the arguments in this complex case," said Mr Irven.

"We shall be awaiting the verdict with keen interest for Somerset."

Campaigners have had to raise £9,000 towards the cost of the legal action and although the target set by the Legal Services Commission for the community contribution has been reached, they are still appealing for more funds to cover expected additional costs.

Anyone willing to contribute to the fund can send donations to Mr Irven at 3 St Decuman's Road, Watchet, TA23 OFL.