Horwich town councillors have welcomed a proposal to turn Brazley library into a facility for the elderly.

Bolton Council is seeking to change the use of the building on Cedar Avenue from a library to a day centre, costing £131,000.

More than a thousand Horwich residents signed a petition in March last year to stop the library's closure, backed by Liberal Democrat councillors Bob and Barbara Ronson.

Now social services want to provide day care for 25 pensioners on the site.

Councillor Barbara Ronson is resigned to the decision and said she was glad it had not been sold to private developers, which meant councillors still had control over its future.

She added: "This is a very, very good use for it.

"It's going to be essential as a drop-in centre for the elderly.

"It would be the only luncheon club available in that area.

Horwich council leader Kevan Helsby said: "It would be very welcome, particularly for the elderly people it will serve.

"The decision was made quite a while ago to close the library.

"I'm glad the building is being put to good use."

The new development would provide community facilities promised following the controversial closure of Stocks Park, the town's only council-run OAP home.

The day care centre is to be opened by July or August this year.

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