A Bradford library has been given a £10,000 cash lifeline to allow vital repairs to be carried out.

Councillors Mohammed Shafiq and Ghazanfer Khaliq (Labour, Bradford Moor) have allocated money to Laisterdyke Library in Manse Street from a ward investment fund created after the sale of Leeds Bradford International Airport.

Last year, Coun Shafiq said he was inundated with complaints from constituents about the state of the library and claimed the building was being neglected by the Council on purpose so a case could be made for its closure.

He said: “We are delighted to secure these improvements to a vital local resource because the prospect of closure grew greater the longer the situation went on.

“The library now faces a brighter future but it’s a shame that we have had to use the airport money to prop up a bread-and-butter service.

“This means that other schemes will miss out but the fact is that the library is just too important to risk losing.”

He said it would have been better if the Council had been able to keep up with its maintenance over the years.

The money will be used for repairs to the ceiling, new carpets, furniture and shelving as well as new books.

Councillor Anne Hawkesworth, executive member for environment and culture, said: “I think it’s an absolutely admirable use of the ward investment fund. I am very pleased that it has happened.”

Jackie Kitwood, the Council’s principal libraries officer said: “The grant of £10,000 will enable us to carry out refurbishment work at the library including the provision of new shelves, carpets and other improvements.

“We will also provide some new books for the library and ask members of the public for help in choosing them as well as offering their views on the new decorations.”

e-mail: hannah.baker@telegraphandargus.co.uk