AUTHORS and playwrights will tonight call on Bolton Council to save the town’s under threat libraries.

Award winning playwright Les Smith, who penned Wanderers drama And Did Those Feet, which has enjoyed two sell-out runs at the Octagon Theatre, will lead the calls.

Mr Smith, a lecturer at the University of Bolton, grew up in Halliwell, and now lives in Harwood.

He said: “There have been many important libraries in my life, but the very first was the Halliwell branch library. Although it is now in a different building, I find it heartbreaking and foolish that such a library will be closed.

“I couldn’t have written And Did Those Feet without Bolton Central Library and although this library is not closing, it underlines how important libraries are.

“Add to that the sheer pleasure I used to get from taking my daughter to Harwood library on a Saturday morning and helping her pick out a book, there is something very special about your own local library.”

Other speakers tonight include author Ruth Hamilton and award winning children’s writer Alan Gibbons.

Libraries at Astley Bridge, Highfield, Oxford Grove, Heaton and Castle Hill, have been earmarked for closure in a bid to save £400,000.

The council has to save £60m over four years because of Government grant cuts.

Save Bolton Libraries Campaign chairman Tom Hanley said: “Questions or contributions from the floor will be very welcome.

“We hope to stimulate a lively discussion on how we can save our threatened libraries, as well as provide an update on the campaign so far.”

The meeting will start at 7pm tonight in the Central Library Lecture Theatre.

Bolton Council’s eight-week consultation over the libraries is nearing its end.

To have your say go to bolton.gov.uk