BIDFORD people turned out in force to unanimously vote to save their library from closure.

More than 70 people attended the public meeting last Thursday where they agreed to back a proposal to take Bidford Library on as a ‘community venture’.

More than 50 villagers have put their names forward to volunteer as librarians, computer technicians and cleaners.

Mike Gerrard, chairman of the parish council, chaired the meeting. He said: “We want to establish a community-led library, owned and managed by local residents.

“We need about 25 volunteers so we can offer a service every day of the working week.

“One of the problems we face is the diminishing use of the library, but as a community-led library we would hope to turn that around.”

The library will cost about £9,000 per year and be funded by late return fines, DVD rentals and a £5,000 donation from the parish council for the first year.

The current Wifi system would remain and parish clerk, Elisabeth Uggerlose, said they hoped to keep the current computers.

Mother-of-two Louise Bayford said: “I use the library with my two boys a lot and we need to make it a social place for all residents.

It’s a really important part of the community.”

Cathy Allport, who has lived in Bidford for four years, said: “I only found the library after three years when I was snow bound and went for a walk around the village.

“I have been every day since. We need to get some directional signs for this to work.”

Nick Gower Johnson, Warwickshire County Council’s localities and communities manager, rounded off the meeting by saying he thought the villagers stood a good chance of succeeding with their bid.

He said: “The degree of community spirit is pretty good, as is the viability of the business plan.”

Warwickshire County Council will inform the residents if their bid has been successful on Wednesday, October 19.