BOLTON Central Library was the second most visited across the north west in 2014.

New figures reveal that just short of 530,000 visitors passed through the doors of the library in Le Mans Crescent throughout the year.

The only north west centre to receive more visitors this year is Oldham’s town centre library in Greaves Street, which can boast figures of more than 610,000.

The numbers have been collated by the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy (CIPFA) which also revealed that the North West region saw the largest fall in the number of libraries run by local authorities in the country during the year.

The region now has 14 fewer libraries than the previous year, with a fall in book stocks of 8.7 per cent also bigger than any other region in the UK.

Bolton Council closed five libraries in 2012 in Astley Bridge, Oxford Grove, Heaton, Highfield and Castle Hill but all the remaining centres have stayed open since then.

In its recent budget announcement, the council has vowed not to close any libraries but 10 jobs could be lost as the library and museum service is asked to cut between £300,000 and £500,000 from its budget.

Council chiefs are currently examining the possibility of turning the service into a not-for-profit trust.

Speaking about the visitor figures, Bolton Council’s cabinet member for culture and youth, Cllr John Byrne said: “We’re extremely pleased to be ranked in the top three libraries according to visitor figures and are proud that people enjoy visiting our Central Library. In 2012 we increased our opening times to include Sundays and Bank Holidays and this has proved really popular.

“We have noticed more families paying us a visit, especially at weekends and on Bank Holidays when events are taking place in the town centre, and we organise themed activities to complement the events, such as Ironman UK and the Food and Drink Festival. Each Bank Holiday we hold craft activities and there are a range of family-orientated activities taking place each week, all year round.

“That, together with more traditional library services such as book, DVD, e-book lending and computer services, makes Central Library a busy and vibrant place to be.”

Local libraries campaigner Ian McHugh said: “I am encouraged to hear that people in Bolton value their library service and are continuing to make very good use of it.

“All the campaigners are pleased that a commitment has been made to protect the current library network in Bolton and we will wait to see further details of the councils proposals in the near future.”