TOWN Hall chiefs will today decide on the preferred option for the future of Bolton’s libraries.

The council’s executive meets at 1pm to discuss the proposals and will vote on which one will be subject to a six-week consultation.

Campaigners have spent the past six months protesting against library closures, which the authority says will save more than £400,000 next year.

Under the proposals, the central library and township libraries in Blackrod, Farnworth, Horwich, Little Lever and Westhoughton are safe, but opening hours and services could be changed.

Libraries being considered for closure are: Harwood, High Street, Daubhill, Astley Bridge, The Orchards, Farnworth, Bromley Cross; Heaton, Oxford Grove, Halliwell, Castle Hill, Tonge Moor and Breightmet.

But council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “The proposals are fair and although we would never want to be in a position where we are putting any of the proposals forward, we have to save the money and that was agreed at the full council meeting in February.”

Thousands of people have signed petitions against the closures.

The plans are under an embargo until staff and council members have been briefed.

The Bolton News will have full details of the preferred option on our website from noon.

Follow the meeting live on our website at the boltonnews.co.uk See tomorrow’s paper for details and analysis.