Moray library closures: campaigner in legal aid bid

Children protesting against the closure of Hopeman Library in Moray

A campaigner trying to stop Moray Council from closing seven of its 15 libraries is to apply for legal aid to fund court action.

Vivien Hendry, from Hopeman, whose local library is among those due to be shut, said they were a lifeline for people in the area.

Campaigners hope to take the case to the Court of Session.

The council said the cuts had to be made in a bid to save more than £350,000.

Libraries in Burghead, Cullen, Dufftown, Findochty, Hopeman, Portknockie and Rothes are due to close.

A campaign group, Save our Libraries Moray, is seeking an interim interdict at the Court of Session to put a temporary halt to the closures.

The group is also seeking a judicial review of the council's decision.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop has already urged Moray Council to reconsider the closure of seven of its 15 libraries.

Ms Hendry told the BBC: "I am a single parent with two children aged 14 and six.

"We use the local library several times a week as I don't have adequate computer and internet facilities at home.

"My six-year-old has become computer literate through our local library and I know that this applies to a lot of people throughout Moray."