MORE than 60 people have pledged to help a County Durham library secure additional opening hours.

Last week, Sedgefield residents attended a meeting at the Parish Hall to express their concerns over Durham County Council’s decision to slash the library’s opening hours from 39 per week to 20 from January.

The newly established Friends of Sedgefield Library group hopes to increase this to 25 hours, but needs to raise £5,000 a year to cover the extra cost.

The meeting, which was chaired by Sedgefield MP Phil Wilson, gave library users the chance to question representatives from the council’s Library Services team. A six-strong steering group was also set up to look at ways to raise money and identify how the community can support the library.

Sedgefield is one of 39 towns and community libraries in County Durham that will see a reduction in opening hours next year.

The move, which is due to significant Government funding cuts, will save Durham County Council £1.5m.

Anyone who would like to join the Friends of Sedgefield Library should contact John or Maxine Robinson on 01740-620042.