PEOPLE power has ensured that the book hasn't been closed on Britain's smallest public lending library.

With the backing of counciI bosses, local volunteers have come forward to keep open the tiny Ainsworth Library in Bury - it stocks just 2,000 books.

With Bury Council facing multi-million pound cuts, the library looked set to be axed to make savings, until members of the Ainsworth Community Association came up with their 11th hour solution.

Now, following training by the Council's own library staff, around a dozen volunteers look after the library, and ensure it continues to open each Monday and Friday afternoon between 3-7pm.

The continuation of the service has been a big hit locally, allowing users of the facility, many of them elderly, to be able to obtain their reading material in the village.

The volunteer librarians say they have even been signing up new members since they took over.

Team leader, Mr Ian Hopkins said: "There is no doubt that the service is very much appreciated locally, in fact I don't think I've heard as many people say thank you in such a short period of time before."

Local Cllr Barry Briggs, who worked with the Community Association to keep the library open, added: "Local people said that they were willing to give freely of their time to keep the facility open, and that is just what they have done."

There is a strong sense of community in Ainsworth and that is very much reflected in what has happened."

Bury Metro's Leisure Services Committee chairman, Cllr David Willis said: "We had to take some painful decisions last year, which included the closure of several branch libraries.

"Ainsworth was among those listed to go, but local people showed a determination to keep it open, that we could not and would not ignore."?

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