MARTOCK Library will reduce its opening hours after losing all funding from Martock Parish Council.

The Parish Council had been "providing support" of £5,000 a year to help the library operate its normal opening hours for "the past few years", but that funding has now been removed.

An update shared by the Somerset Council library reads: "Unfortunately, we are having to change the opening hours of Martock Library.

"For the past few years, Martock Parish Council have very kindly provided funding to maintain opening hours at the current level.

“However, they are no longer able to continue to provide this funding. We would like to thank Martock Parish Council for their support over the past few years.”

The library will be closed on Thursday and Sunday. It will open for limited hours on Tuesday and Saturday, from 9:30am until 1pm, and Wednesday from 1:30pm to 5pm.

On Monday and Friday, it will be open between 9:30am and 5 pm.

The library added: "We apologise to our customers for any inconvenience this may cause."

Minutes from the Martock Parish Council's June 26 meeting show that it resolved to "not to contribute any costs toward the Library", with one person voting against this change.

One library user told the County Gazette they rely on the library for "company" and a "familiar place to go".

The library user said: "This is a much loved, well-used community hub, which was only recently renovated a couple of years ago.

"There are events that take place in the library, some of which will be affected by the opening hour changes. The library is also listed as a warm space in the colder months.

"The printing facilities and computers are relied upon by locals, and the library is a familiar place to go to for elderly people such as myself, who are in need of some company.

"The library hosts a knit and natter group, story time for under four’s, an ancestry group and a self-weighing baby facility. Theres also access to blood pressure monitors which has been useful to me.

"Adults can also attend sessions to learn how to read. It’s unfortunate that Martock Parish Council do not recognise all that Martock Library has to offer and the impact the reduced opening hours will have on the local and wider community."