ANGRY campaigners packed out the public gallery in Bolton Town Hall’s council chamber last night as they listened to an historic debate about the proposed closure of Bolton’s libraries.

Bolton Council was obliged to hold the debate by law because of new rules created last June which mean that local authorities must hold a public debate if they receive a petition of more than 4,000 signatures.

Last night’s debate was triggered by a 7,500-signature petition— and was the first time that the legislation has been used.

Anti-closure campaigner Ian McHugh was cheered and applauded as he addressed the council on behalf of the Save Bolton’s Libraries Campaign.

He said that literacy, social mobility, community cohesion and well-being would suffer if libraries closed.

He said: “Once we close them down and sell off the buildings, those libraries are gone — and we think they are too important to lose. We hope all the members of this council will be remembered as councillors who, at a difficult time in our town’s history, stood up to defend valuable public services.”

There was heckling from the public gallery when Conservative leader Cllr John Walsh said that tonight’s debate was premature.

He said: “We want to see a proper debate, not a debate in a vacuum.”

People in the gallery were several times ordered to be quiet after a series of angry outbursts.

Council leader, Cllr Cliff Morris, reminded the public that the council needed to cut £500,000 from the libraries department’s budget.

The council needs to slash £60 million from its overall budget over the next two years.

Chiefs are proposing to close libraries in Astley Bridge, Breightmet, Bromley Cross, Castle Hill in Tonge Moor, Harwood, Heaton, High Street in Daubhill, Highfield (Orchards) in Farnworth and Oxford Grove in Halliwell.

Central Library, Farnworth, Westhoughton, Horwich, Blackrod and Little Lever libraries are all safe.

The council’s executive will make its recommendations about the future of the borough’s libraries in three weeks’ time.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr McHugh said it was disappointing that no real debate had taken place.

He said: “It’s important to raise the issues at a time when no final decisions have been made. I’m very disappointed that the councillors didn’t use the opportunity to show that they understand the depth of public feeling on the issue.”