SIR: According to a recent report, the Newbury area at Farnworth has one of the lowest school qualification rates in the country. A vast number of residents rely on benefits and the local primary schools are vastly over subscribed. So could someone point out to me why the only regular access to books that some of these residents get is being denied.

Newbury Library is being closed down in favour of more funding for Farnworth Central Library. Okay, the idea includes a scheme to transfer some books to the Community Centre, or should I say a room the size of a broom cupboard within the Community Centre. But why is the council taking away the access to books from the most under-privileged?

Don't just sit there thinking it doesn't concern you, because if this pilot scheme works, it will be your library next, until there are six super libraries - Farnworth, Bolton, Horwich, Harwood, Little Lever and Westhoghton, which is all well and good if you can afford to travel to them! So speak out now before it's too late - because like the residents of Newbury, you won't be consulted or considered.

Janet Lord

Macdonald Avenue

Newbury, Farnworth

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.