A Library must remain in the heart of a town in the county in order to ensure its future, councillors claim.

Members of Pershore Town Council want the service to remain in its current location in Church Street following the announcement of a consultation by Worcestershire County Council into the possible relocation of the library because the 40-year-old building is reportedly in need of £130,000 worth of repairs.

The civic centre in Queen Elizabeth Drive is being investigated as an alternative site.

Councillors voted unanimously to send a letter to the county council stating their preference was for the library to remain where it is and for the repairs to be carried out.

Failing this, it was suggested a new library building could be incorporated within the redevelopment of the old health centre.

Their third request was for the library to remain in the centre of town at another location.

Town councillor Gaynor Amphlett said a large proportion of service users were older people and young school children who would not be able to travel to an out-of-town location.

She said: “We should do everything we can to try to maintain the library in its present position. I fear a move to the civic centre would be its death knell.”

Concerns were raised about the high estimated cost of the repairs and any relocation, whether there would be enough parking at the civic centre to accommodate library users, and if the county council could guarantee the future of the library at another location.

Kathy Kirk, the county council’s strategic libraries and learning manager, said: “As would be expected in a building of this age, the current library building requires considerable investment to the heating and electrical systems, as well as the external fabric of the building, particularly the roof.

“We are investigating all viable options to find alternative premises, including the civic centre.

“We are keen to hear from residents with any ideas they may have throughout the three-month consultation, which will begin towards the end of this month.”