Bolton Council is half way through a second period of consultation on the future of the library network.

Just three weeks remain for residents to fill in council survey, online or by post.

The council issued 7,000 paper copies of the survey to a random sample of residents throughout the borough in order to obtain a fair representation of people’s views.

Anyone who has received a survey through the post should return it in the Freepost envelope by midnight on September 16.

Leader of Bolton Council, Councillor Cliff Morris, said: “We are doing all we can to encourage people to take part in the consultation and have their say on the proposals for the library network. We welcome the views of everyone who has an opinion on the changes and have enabled people to fill out the questionnaire online.

However, if anyone has received a paper copy of the survey through the post, I would urge them to take just a few minutes to complete the form and return it in the Freepost envelope provided.”

The council is proposing to close five libraries — Astley Bridge, Highfield, Castle Hill, Oxford Grove and Heaton.

New neighbourhood collections are being proposed in these areas.

A public meeting will be held at Astley Bridge Library tonight at 7.45pm.

For more information on the consultation and to fill in the online survey, go to the website at bolton.gov.uk/libraries