Supporters of Gargrave Library have formed a committee in a bid to keep it open.

The library, housed in the village hall, has been earmarked by North Yorkshire County Council to close. But the council, which has to reduce its library budget by around £2 million over the next four years, has offered to help communities — such as Gargrave — to run their own libraries.

And although the level of support will not be the same as previous libraries taken over by communities — such as Grassington — it has offered limited help, including officer help and books.

Last Wednesday, more than 100 people turned out to a meeting at the village hall called to discuss ways forward.

Twenty-six people indicated they would volunteer to run the library and the village has now formed a committee, which will meet with county council officers to take the matter forward.

Alan Simpson told the packed hall that villagers had raised more than £30,000 to move the library from the High Street to its present location when it was closed in the 1980s.

He said since then, the library had been described by the county council as one of the best in North Yorkshire.

Mr Simpson said the village had four options — it could press for things to remain as they were and it could try and get one member of staff, supported by volunteers. It could also organise the library to be run wholly by volunteers, or it could give up and let the library close.

Some people said the council should be told the library must continue as it was, but others suggested ways it could be continued with community support.

The council was criticised for not being able to provide an idea of how much closing the library at Gargrave would save, while others asked whether council tax would be reduced as a result.

Suggestions included putting up the cost of reserving a book and charging people to visit the library.