Residents protesting changes to library opening hours in St John’s held a carol concert at the library - despite being banned by the council.

The Friends of St John's Library had organised a service in the library garden, inviting user groups and individuals including local councillors, but the Library Service asked for it not to go ahead as it would be political.

The Libraries Unlocked scheme will see the library open for longer hours but without a librarian for some of that time.

City and county councillor Richard Udall decided to defy the ban and organised an event which took place outside the library.

"They tried to ban Christmas, they said singing three carols and having mince pies was a political event and banned us,” said Cllr Udall.

“They will discover that St John's residents are made of stronger stuff, we will not be told what to do, we went ahead anyway, we sang our hearts out and nibbled at the mince pies and delivered a big thankyou to the librarians who work tirelessly on our behalf.

“The sad, Scrooge-like politicians who run Worcestershire County Council are out of touch with the public and think they can impose their will upon us. We have defied them, Christmas will not be cancelled in St John's.

“Proposals to cut staffed hours to just 22 hours a week at the library are a disgrace, over 1,500 people have signed the petition against the cuts and we will continue to fight the proposals, we believe libraries need librarians.”

Councillor Marcus Hart, cabinet member for communities at the county council, said: “An event which was not being promoted as a carol service and which heavily focused on Libraries Unlocked changes in St John's Library was promoted by the Friends of St John's Library before being formally discussed or arrangements being made with library staff.

“We are hosting many festive events across Worcestershire Libraries including a Christmas Story & Craft event on Saturday, December 23 at St John’s Library.

“We are currently finalising our arrangements for Libraries Unlocked introduction sessions for customers to explain how the new service will work at St John’s Library.

“These sessions will provide opportunities for St John's Library members and the Friends of St John's Library to find out about how Libraries Unlocked will work, to ask questions and to make suggestions for how the community can make the most of the new service.

“Libraries Unlocked is expected to be operational at St John's Library in early 2024.”