DOZENS of volunteers have come forward to help run a much-loved village library that was shelved by budget cuts.

The people of Silverdale are preparing to take over their library from Lancashire County Council, and so far 46 people have offered to give their time to the venture.

Children at St John's Primary School have been busy drawing up lists of their favourite books and authors, and the school has formed a children's library committee - one of ten groups established to explore different aspects of running the Emesgate Lane library.

The doors closed last September during major budget cuts that also saw Bolton-le-Sands library shelved. World-famous children's book illustrator Quentin Blake was among supporters of the Facebook campaign to keep Silverdale library open.

At its recent meeting, Silverdale Parish Council heard the library working group has been in touch with other independent libraries, such as Bottesford in Leicestershire, to seek ideas and advice.

The group is proposing Silverdale library open two mornings, two afternoons and one late evening per week, in addition to the old opening times. Wednesday morning has been suggested to tie in with the fish van's visit to the village, and Saturday morning to coincide with the Gaskell Hall coffee morning.

It is hoped the library will reopen some time between the end of May and end of June. The parish council has agreed to authorise up to £1,500 to cover legal fees for scrutinising the county council's lease in due course.