A LIBRARY could find a new use as a police station, it has been suggested.

The idea was put forward by the leader of Bolton's UKIP group, Cllr Sean Hornby at last night's meeting of the Little Lever and Darcy Lever area forum.

The suggestion was also backed by Sergeant Alex Metcalfe, who was in attendance to answer residents questions on policing matters.

The library, in Coronation Square, is well used but deemed to be far too small to provide the range of services the community needs.

And plans for a new combined health centre and library in the village are currently in the pipeline.

Bolton Council has purchased the former Tesco Metro supermarket site in Market Street and is now working with NHS Bolton CCG, the Foundation Trust and local GP practices to develop designs for the new facility.

Cllr Hornby says that he welcomes the new facility but that an 'appropriate' use must be found for the currently library, as it was dedicated to the village's First World War fallen.

He told the meeting that suggestions he and his fellow ward councillors were not in favour of the new library were not true: "There have been some talks I’ve been privy to with the leader of council, Cliff Morris.

"You may well have received something through the post that says we are not supportive of the health centre and library, but we are. I think it would be a damn good scheme in Little Lever."

But he added there were concerns over what would happen to the old building once services move to the mooted new facility.

He added: "It’s the second best used library in Bolton It’s well used by children and schools, so to move it to this new facility will be a good plus—but it’s what we use the old building for.

"That was built as a memorial library to commemorate the people that died in the First World War who lived in Little Lever.

"It’s important we find a proper and appropriate use for that building once it closes."

He continued: "We have had assurances from Cllr Cliff Morris that there will be no decision taken of what it will be used for until the new one is open."

Sgt Metcalfe told the meeting he believed the idea was worth taking forward.

He said: "Cllr Hornby makes a very good point It needs to have an appropriate use and what it was designated for all those years ago and what it was built for.

" I think you would find that it were to be used as a small police station I think that is the sort of appropriate use I don’t think anyone would object to— and it would get used."

A resident added: "It’s a real focal point it mustn’t be another shop or it’s a real focal point with the library wall as well there."