PLANS for a new village library have hit a major snag after the proposed building was found to be unsuitable.

Langley Park, near Durham, and Coundon, have been without a full mobile library service since it was withdrawn in February.

Durham County Council had hoped to use the first floor of the joint health centre and Sure Start building in Coundon, to give the service a permanent home.

But a study by engineers shows that the building's floor would not cope with the weight of the books and it cannot be altered, according to the lease.

Council officers are still negotiating with Durham Dales Primary Care Trust over the building, but said the village may have to make do with a mobile library service.

Coundon and Langley Park are currently served by a spare mobile library.

In Langley Park, the county council has been offered Church Street Community Centre. Langley Park and District Community Association offered to transfer the lease to the council. Conversion costs are estimated at £320,000.

The county council's cabinet will vote on whether to go ahead with the conversion at a meeting in Durham, on Thursday, at 9.30am.