Volunteers step in to run Isle of Wight libraries

Volunteers are taking over the running of five libraries on the Isle of Wight after they were threatened with closure.

Conservative-led Isle of Wight Council had planned to shut nine of its 11 libraries from the end of March to save £33m over four years.

The libraries in Bembridge, Brighstone, East Cowes, Niton and Shanklin will be community-run from October.

The remaining six libraries on the island will be run by the council.

It is expected the new arrangements will save the authority about £500,000 a year.

Ian Anderson, of Isle of Wight Council, said: "It would not have been possible were it not for the tremendous enthusiasm and dedication displayed by communities across the island."

The volunteer-run libraries in buildings leased by the council will have free access to the council's library book stock and will be installed with broadband.