THE last of Bolton’s five axed libraries will close next month.

Astley Bridge Library will close on April 5, Bolton Council said last night.

A neighbourhood collection point, which will replace the library, will open the following week in Oldhams Children’s Centre, in Forfar Street.

The collection will open on Tuesday, April 10, and will be open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

The new service will enable people to borrow books via a self-service machine and computers will offer internet access. Any requests for books not on display can be made as normal via the library ordering service.

Ordered books can be delivered to the neighbourhood collection or any library in the borough and people can return books to any library in the borough, the council said.

Council leader Cllr Cliff Morris said: “The decision to review the library network and replace five libraries with neighbourhood collections has not been an easy one to make.

“However, we have worked hard to minimise the effect on the community.”

Castle Hill, Heaton, Oxford Grove and Highfield libraries have already closed, saving the council £200,000 a year.

Ward councillor John Walsh said it was a sad day for Astley Bridge.

He added: “I’m very unhappy the people of Bolton have not been listened to. It is very hard to resurrect a library once it has been closed.

“I am bitterly disappointed the council have taken a cavalier approach. They have had a closed mind to the whole process.”