COUNTY Hall chiefs have defended their decision not to relocate Colne Library to a temporary site while refurbishments are carried out.

The Market Street building will close for 16 weeks while essential repair work to modernise the facility is undertaken.

Instead of implementing a temporary relocation, county hall bosses have opted to extend opening times at the three libraries closest to Colne.

Julie Bell, acting head of Lancashire County Library and Information Service, said the decision was taken to save money.

During the closure, Earby, Trawden and Barrowford libraries will be open for an extra 44 hours a week between them.

"This will cover the 43 hours a week that Colne Library opens for.

Mrs Bell said: “The county council explored a number of possible alternative service provisions including relocating the library to a temporary site which would result in an additional cost to the project of £50,000 to £60,000.

“The decision was taken that during this period, three other libraries will temporarily extend their opening hours to ensure local people can continue to receive a service in Pendle.”

As part of the work the staircase will be moved to maximise open space.

In addition, new moveable shelving will be installed to create flexible community spaces and there will be a community history area created upstairs.

There will also be office space for hire, 10 laptops for public use, an area for young people aged 11 and over, toilets and a baby change facility.

The revamp is part of Lancashire County Council’s YourSpace project to transform and create new flexible community spaces and improved facilities in libraries that help encourage personal development, learning and community cohesion.

In 2007 a grant of more than £1.3 million was awarded to the county council’s Library and Information Service from the Big Lottery Fund to extend and refurbish three of its local libraries: Haslingden, Colne and Lancaster.

Of this, £459,980 has been allocated to Colne Library for building works and associated professional fees.

The library will close at 4pm on August 29.

The additional opening hours at other libraries will commence from September 1.