PLANS to move a library from a landmark building are being opposed by councillors who are organising a petition.

Leaders of Middlesbrough Council are proposing to move the library service from the Carnegie building in the town centre, and house a craft centre there instead.

Liberal Democrats in the town - population 136,000 - say 1,000 residents have told them they oppose the plan.

Armed with what he says is public opposition to the idea, Liberal Democrat Councillor Joe Michna is to petition the council to drop plans to move the library and to instead put money into improving existing facilities.

Cllr Michna said: "Our survey results show that over 1000 local people have said no to these proposals.

"What virtually all these people want is for the library to stay where it is and for improvements, including a possible extension to the building.

"Library users have overwhelmingly rejected the council's proposals and wish the current building to remain as the central library facility.

"Nobody we spoke to could see any merit is using the building for a craft centre."

But Councillor Mike Carr, executive council member for leisure and culture said: "If you present people with loaded questions you will get the answers you want, and I strongly suspect that is what happened here.

"The Carnegie building is one of Middlesbrough's best buildings and it is important that we put it to the best use.

"We must also ensure that we have a good quality, accessible library.

That is what the current strategy sets out to do and we are sure most people will support that."