CAMPAIGNERS in West Somerset are optimistic about the future of the libraries they are fighting to keep open.

Watchet library user Rebecca Hird is taking legal action against Somerset County Council’s move to close 11 libraries in October, unless volunteers step forward to run them.

Her case is expected to be affected by a similar case in Gloucestershire where campaigners have won an injunction from the High Court, preventing the closure of their county libraries.

But the council is returning to court today (Thursday) to try and overturn the injunction.

The outcome of the Gloucestershire and Watchet cases is expected to set a legal precedent.

Jan Simpson-Scott, a spokesman for Watchet Library Friends, said: “We are very optimistic that there will be a good outcome.”

She added: “We’ve always said our aim is to stay open with Somerset County Council funding.

“We are not going down the route of volunteers.”

But in Porlock, a group of volunteers will be running the library and the community has also given its support to paying for the service.

Porlock Parish Council chairman Cllr Alan Wright said: “It is looking like we’ve got something quite viable.”

Library users could be asked for donations through a membership scheme yet to be finalised.

Cllr Wright added: “We want to integrate the library into a village centre, where we could have some art for example.”