A FRIENDS group that helped to save a community library has announced that it will disband to allow a new group to be formed to guide the facillity in future.

The Friends of Cockerton Library was formed in January to spearhead the campaign against a Darlington Borough Council proposal to close the library as part of budget cuts.

The group were able to persuade the council to change its mind and keep the library open, albeit with reduced hours, with the help of vocal support from local people and a petition that attracted thousands of signatures.

A public meeting to discuss the future direction of the library, and to elect a new committee, will be held on Tuesday, at Cockerton Methodist Hall, at 6.30pm.

A spokesman for the Friends group said: “The Friends welcome the decision by Darlington Council to to keep the library open, allowing this well used facility to continue.

“Having been set up with the aim of retaining a library service at Cockerton the existing committee consider that this objective has been achieved and it is now time for this committee to disband.

“It is proposed that a new committee and Friends group, is formed to carry forward and build on the considerable interest and goodwill the campaign generated.

“The retiring committee would like to extend their grateful thanks to everyone who got behind the campaign.”