VOLUNTEERS are needed to stop Chipping Sodbury Library closing down for good.

The facility was earmarked for closure last year due to South Gloucestershire Council (SGC) plans to save money.

But thanks to the efforts of local campaigners, the facility can stay open on the condition that it is run by members of the community.

Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library are now looking for around 40 people to work shifts at the facility on a regular basis, and will be manning a stall at the festival on Saturday in a bid to attract volunteers.

Chairman of the group, Maggie Allsopp, told the Gazette: “It's been a long fight to keep the library, and now we need the community to pull together.

“There are a lot of benefits to volunteering – it’s a great opportunity to give something back, make friends and gain experience.

"The library will close without the help of volunteers."

The library will be handed over to the community on the last weekend of September, with volunteers set to take the helm during the first week of October.

They will work in shifts of around four hours, with the library expected to be open for 14-16 hours each week.

SGC are helping with some of the costs involved, including building maintenance, but the everyday job of running the library will be down to members of the community.

Cllr Rob Creer, who represents Chipping Sodbury on South Gloucestershire Council, is urging residents to get involved.

He said: “Since the announcement last year, I’ve campaigned to protect this valuable asset in Chipping Sodbury.

“I set up the Friends of Chipping Sodbury Library group, and we are now at the penultimate stage of saving the library.

“We're urging local residents to get in touch with us - we need their help to keep the library going."

To find out how to become a volunteer, visit the Friends of the Library’s stall at the Chipping Sodbury Carnival on Saturday.

Members of the group will be there from 10am to 5pm and will be handing out books for a small donation as well as providing information about the volunteer role.