VOLUNTEERS have got the go-ahead to step in to save a New Forest library facing closure after cost-cutting county bosses sacked its staff.

Milford-on-Sea Village Hall Trust has agreed that it is ready to take charge to keep the doors open after Hampshire County Council said it was pulling the plug as part of cuts to services.

It is set to be handed the keys on March 31 next year.

If no one had come forward it faced closure and residents would have had to make do with a weekly mobile library stop.

Approving the volunteers taking over, county culture boss Councillor Keith Chapman said: “I am delighted that the community in Milford-on-Sea has come together to volunteer to keep their library open and they will be supported by the Library Service to do this.

“It’s important we look at all our services to make sure they are being delivered in the most effective way possible at a time when Government grant is reducing significantly and we have to find more money to meet the demands placed on our care services for vulnerable children and adults in need.”