MORE than 7,500 signatures in support for Ross Library to stay open were presented to Herefordshire County Council on Friday.

Clare Llewellyn West, of Ross Library Development Group, says now the fight to save the community asset from government cuts really starts.

The group presented the petition to leader of the council, Tony Johnson.

Clare said: “Given the size of the petition we hope to be allowed to present the case for a continued (and indeed improved) professional library service despite the austerity agenda at a future meeting of the full council.

“Given the current situation with Hereford central library, the role of the market town libraries is even more urgent.

“The timescales are not in our hands – the current financial review is aimed at the 2017/18 budget so the decision will not be immediate. However, we needed to respond to the council during the consultation period. They put forward their proposals this summer and will be debating the results of the public consultation in December or the New Year.”