DETAILS of plans for a major new library for Stanley have been revealed.

The Advertiser last year disclosed Durham County Council wants to built a library worth tens of thousands of pounds at the old Stanley Board School on Front Street.

Now a spokesman for the council has said that the authority envisages a multi-agency centre which could include health services, council facilities and other facilities.

The authority stressed that the plans to relocate from the current library, off the town's ring road, on High Street, were still being considered after a feasibility study but no time limit had been set. It is thought the current library is too far out of the town centre.

A spokesman said: "It is our intention to improve library facilities in Stanley town centre and we hope to relocate on Front Street. The intention is to do that as part of a one-stop approach involving a number of different agencies and organisations and we are working hard to achieve that."

Meanwhile the council has confirmed that there are no plans to close nearby South Moor Library.

The area's Labour county councillor, David Marshall, explained that fears had been raised for the future of the library after it was mentioned as a possible area to cut back during budget meetings before the council tax was set.

A petition had been organised in the community but he had been assured the idea had been shelved. "It should never have even been mentioned," he said.

A spokesman for the county council confirmed the library was safe.