CAMPAIGNERS have gathered more than 1,000 names on a petition calling for Wibsey library to be spared from council cuts.

Under current cost-cutting proposals, Bradford Council's Labour leadership has said all but seven libraries across the district would either have to be run by volunteers or face closure.

The plans have provoked an outcry, particularly in Bradford South, which would have no council-staffed library at all.

Richard Sheard, one of the campaigners protesting against cuts to Wibsey library, has now handed in a petition signed by 1,100 people in support of Wibsey library to City Hall.

Mr Sheard, who is standing for the Conservatives in this year's local election, said the library was at the heart of the community.

Conservative group leader Councillor Simon Cooke met him to receive the petition.

He said he understood savings had to be made, but said: "We need to do it in a much more considered way and not assume that for every library, every community is willing and able to take on the burden of running it themselves."

Cllr Susan Hinchcliffe, executive member in charge of libraries has said that while she recognises the importance of libraries, Government cuts were so severe, they were having to put these proposals on the table.

The council's executive will finalise its budget proposals at a meeting on February 23. The budget will then be set at a full council meeting on February 25.