TOWN hall bosses are to spend £800,000 demolishing and rebuilding a Bolton library because many elderly and disabled people cannot get into it.

Stairs at the entrance to the 118-year-old High Street library in Daubhill have been proving to be too steep for people with restricted movement, leading councillors to take the drastic decision.

They claim it is impossible to put in ramps and adapt the buildings to meet new disabilities legislation because of its age and design.

The library closed its doors for the last time last weekend, and demolition is now due to begin ahead of work to create a new library on the same site.

Cllr Bob Ronson, executive member for adult services at Bolton Council, said the cost of the project would be paid for by a series of grants and not by the Council Tax payer.

He said: "This is a Victorian building that is difficult for the elderly and disabled to access. It has quite steep steps and very small rooms inside.

"It just isn't fit for its purpose anymore and needs to be demolished. This scheme will give us a first class library facility for all the community to use."

Rumworth Labour councillor Ismail Ibrahim said: "The new library is excellent news. This is a deprived ward housing people of all different backgrounds. It will be a boost for the whole area."

The library will relocate to a temporary home at St Philip's vicarage while the work is carried out.

Canon Michael Williams, who is the vicar of Bolton Parish church and the priest in charge of St Philips, said: "The vicarage was empty and we were happy to allow it to be used in a way that will benefit the whole community."

The vicarage at 453 Bridgeman Street, next to St Philip's Church, will open as a library on Monday, January 23, at 9am.

Its full opening hours will be Monday 9am to 7.30pm; Tuesday 1pm to 5.30pm; Thursday 9am to 7.30pm and Saturday 9am to 5pm.

Popular Sunday opening times will be reinstated once the doors to the newly-built library open in early 2007.