LIBRARY facilities are thriving in County Durham, contrary to a national report warning of the potential demise of the service.

County councillors have questioned the validity of the report findings, which suggest public libraries may disappear unless major changes take place in the way they are run.

Report author, former managing director of Waterstones book shops Tim Coates, said falling use and increasing costs have resulted in a long-term threat to the future of public libraries.

He warns that unless those responsible change their approach, public libraries may disappear over the next 15 years.

The report, to be presented to the Government, was outlined to Durham County Council's cabinet by the authority's director of culture and leisure, Patrick Conway.

Cabinet member for lifelong learning and cultural services, Dennis Morgan, said the situation it painted was "a far cry from reality" in the county.

He said: "The library service in County Durham is one of the most efficient, effective and innovative in the country."

He said the service had maintained its investment in new books and development while at the same time reducing administrative costs.

Coun Morgan said the report research focused heavily on a study of Hampshire library service and took "too narrow" a look at the public library service as a whole.

"There has been has been a continuous growth in the services we offer through our libraries.

"The number of people who use them has increased by more than 20 per cent since the beginning of the new millennium.

"We believe libraries are the cornerstone of the county council's cultural and community service to local areas," he added.

Mr Conway has been invited to a seminar later this month to discuss the report findings and the future of the library service with Culture Minister Lord Macintosh.

He said: "I shall tell him we do not recognise the Coates report as a description of the library service in County Durham and seriously question most of its findings."