A PROTEST to protect Hale Library from fears of early closure was held at weekend

The library is one of several across the borough currently facing an uncertain future with Trafford Council bosses suggesting it would not close before 2017.

However, the public consultation, which reopened on January 19, will continue to request feedback from residents affected by any changes, until its deadline on February 13.

The chairman of Hale Civic Society, Denise Laver, who helped organise Saturday's protest at 12(noon), said there was uncertainty about when Hale might close.

She explained: "Hale Library is vital to the village and is well supported and at the consultation last Saturday, it was stated that there were over 80,000 visits in one year.

"The library is popular with numerous groups and is a vital community space and works well with local schools - we need our library.

"The library is also a well established information hub which is easily accessible for wheelchair users."

Trafford Council said it is currently considering three options for the library: The first is the potential sale of the current library site but a condition would be placed on any developer to provide a smaller library with homes on the remainder of the site.

A second option is selling off the current library site to a developer, who would commit to building a library elsewhere at no extra cost.

Or thirdly, selling off the current library site with a commitment by the purchaser to provide a temporary library up to mid-2017 on a lease basis, rent and service charge free and with no dilapidations liability.