Ernie Clark. Hilperton Division, Wiltshire Council.

Trowbridge survives but with reduced hours.

The Conservative administration at County Hall has announced drastic cuts to the county's library service. 10 out of 30 libraries could close, and all the others will have their opening hours cut.

Smaller libraries will be offered to the community to be run with volunteer support. If not enough people come forward to make that viable then the council will close it.

Trowbridge will open for 49 hours a week, down from 52. In the scheme of things this isn't too bad as many towns are seeing worse reductions in hours.

The cuts amount to £500k over two years and there will also be some initial expenditure on a radio system for automatic book returns.

The council points out that it has 'consulted' with the people of Wiltshire as part of the review, and it uses many of the consultation responses to justify its position.

The changes will take place in the next financial year beginning in April 2011. The decision to go ahead with the cuts was made by the cabinet on Tuesday.