LONGER opening hours have been approved at three South Lakeland libraries.

Cumbria County Council’s South Lakeland Local Committee approved an end to half day closures on Wednesdays or Thursday afternoons at Kendal, Grange and Ulverston Libraries from January 2013.

A council spokesman said the use of new technology and staff working more flexibly had made it possible to improve access to services at no additional cost.

From next year Kendal and Grange libraries will open on a Thursday from 9.30am to 5pm and Ulverston will open on a Wednesday from 9am to 5pm.

Coun Geoff Cook, chair of South Lakeland Local Committee, said: "There has been extensive consultation and we want to make services available at times when people want to use them. Improving opening times at Kendal, Grange and Ulverston Libraries was a clear message we received.”