CAMPAIGNERS have vowed not to give up their fight to save five libraries from the axe.

The Save Bolton Libraries Campaign reacted angrily to the council’s final proposals, published online yesterday.

Five libraries — Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Heaton, Highfield and Castle Hill — will shut next year, although the Heaton building will be retained as a community hub.

Campaigners will hold a rally outside Bolton Town Hall on Wednesday, before the full executive meeting, which is expected to give proposals the green light.

Tom Hanley, chairman of the campaign said: “After all the consultation the council has had with the people of Bolton, it is still determined to close five libraries.

“Boltonians who support our campaign to keep all our libraries open should try to attend the rally.”

The closures come as Bolton Council strives to save £400,000 from libraries as part of £60 million budget cuts over two years, after Government funding cuts.

Of the 7,000 surveys sent to random households in the borough, 793 people filled them in, with 65 per cent agreeing with the council’s preferred option.

Close to 2,000 people also completed the online survey or a form at a library, with 44 per cent agreeing with the proposals.

Tory Cllr Andy Morgan said: “They say they have listened but they have disregarded hundreds of people’s views and thousands who signed petitions.”

Council chief executive Sean Harriss said: “We completely reject the suggestion the consultation has not been adequate.”

Bernadette Gallagher, Branch Secretary of Bolton UNISON, said: “We have always believed the loss of any local library would be bad news for the people of Bolton.”

The meeting to decide on the plans will be held in the Festival Hall, at 10am.

● Tomorrow: How the changes will affect you