A LIBRARY in the district has been closed “until further notice” due to an infestation of maggots feasting on dead pigeons in the attic and falling through a rotten ceiling.

Heckmondwike Library, in Walkley Lane, was closed by Kirklees Council on Tuesday, who announced it was closed due to “health and safety concerns”.

A Kirklees Council spokesman said: “Heckmondwike library is currently closed whilst work is undertaken to secure the roof and remove a pigeon infestation.

“The council are working with our contractors to ensure that this takes place as soon as possible, we would like to thank our customers for their patience whilst this issue is resolved.”

Councillor Steve Hall (Labour, Heckmondwike) confirmed that the closure was due to a problem with maggots due to a number of dead birds in the attic space.

He said: “It is the dead birds which have been causing the problems.

“What happened is one or two maggots dropped down from the ceiling on to members of staff.

“It’s not acceptable for this to be happening to staff or members of the public which is why we’ve closed the library.

“I don’t know the extent of the cleaning work that will need to be done, but I’ve been told the attic space is pretty bad.

“One of the explanations that has been put forward for this happening is because it has been so hot recently, but why that is acceptable as an excuse I have no idea, this kind of thing should never be happening.

“I don’t know the timescale of the cleaning work at the moment, the problem with the attic space is it’s so rotten I don’t know how they are going to be able to get someone up there to clean. I’ve no idea how long the library is going to be shut for.”

On the top floor of the library there is a broken window which appears to lead into an attic space.

Several pigeons could be seen on Wednesday flying in and out of the broken window, and a number of pigeons were also perched on the roof of the library.

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In January 2015, the library was put at risk of closure by Kirklees Council as part of a cost-saving programme.

The Friends of Heckmondwike Library group was started by campaigners to try and save the library, and a petition signed by 2,498 people objecting to plans to close Heckmondwike Library or sell the building was also handed in to the Council.

When a decision was made in September 2015, the Council decided to spare the library, and also keep it fully staffed by Council employees, although it has reduced opening hours and is closed on Sundays and Wednesdays, and shorter opening hours on Tuesdays and Saturdays.