A CAMPAIGN to halt the relocation of a town centre library is gathering pace.

Middlesbrough Council is proposing to move the town's central library into a modern building, turning the existing 90-year-old Carnegie Building into an arts and crafts centre.

Liberal Democrat councillor Joe Michna said more than 600 opinion cards had been returned to him with nobody agreeing with proposals to relocate the library.

He said: "There is a long way to go, but we are pressing on. Members of the public have been tremendous in their support of the campaign, with many giving up their free time to help us.

"This is an issue that strikes at the heart of the people of Middlesbrough."

He said it will be interesting to see the feedback from residents in council surveys, due in shortly.

The library, which is in Victoria Square, was opened in 1912 and built with a donation of £15,000 from Scottish philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

A Middlesbrough Council spokesman said: "No one is under any doubt that the fabric of the building is excellent and obviously will be preserved, but the interior facilities and access are simply not good enough without a significant amount of upgrading.''

He said the intention was to provide townspeople with a better library service.