PLANS to axe up to 23 librarian posts and slash £250,000 spending on books in Hampshire have been condemned.

Liberal Democrat opposition councillors today pledged to fight the proposals which would help save £1.25m overall.

They are calling on library users to speak out.

Lib Dem spokesman for recreation and heritage, Councillor Peter Chegwyn, said: "These savage cuts will have a terrible impact on the library service.

"Hampshire already spends less on books per head of population than any other county library service in the land. £500,000 has already been taken out of the books fund over the past couple of years and now another £250,000 is being cut.

But Councillor Margaret Snaith, the county council's executive member for recreation and heritage said: "This library restructure is essential for the continuing transformation of the service and to prevent library closures, avoid cuts in opening hours and reductions to the book fund."