Seven Cardiff libraries given a reprieve

Whitchurch library would have needed to find alternative funding if the cuts were agreed

Seven Cardiff libraries look set to be saved after a U-turn by councillors.

Cathays, Roath, Rhydypennau, Rumney, Radyr, Rhiwbina and Whitchurch were all under threat as the council looked to cut £283,000 from the library services budget.

It prompted about 400 people to gather in the city to oppose the planned cuts.

Now the ruling Labour authority has withdrawn the proposal from its budget this year which is due to go before full council on 26 February.

The authority needs to save £48.3m in 2015/16 and a further £124m during the next three years, so the council has said they are still looking at alternative ways of delivering library services.

Cabinet Member for corporate services and performance, councillor Graham Hinchey, said: "We shall keep to our strategy of seeking partners to run the library service with us."

He added: "We shall be looking at the options very carefully in the coming months."

The council will also put together a team of people to help groups who want to take over libraries.