MAJOR plans to relocate Bromyard's library and information services to the leisure centre have been pushed back a step by the townspeople, writes ANITA HOWELLS.

The County Council's ambitious plans to double the size of the library and move it into the highly prized Clive Richards Function Room at the leisure centre was met with a volley of protest at a meeting of 300 people at the Queen Elizabeth High School.

It is the loss of the town's only large function room coupled with Herefordshire Council's lack of consultation with Bromyard and Winslow Town Council over the plans that has upset people, claimed Mayor Joan Dauncey.

"Most of the people in Bromyard are willing to take this to the very limits. They are absolutely incensed by it all. I have been quite surprised by the amount of unhappiness," she said.

The function room was built thanks to a £50,000 donation from town benefactor Clive Richards and has a special sprung maple dance floor.

Mrs Dauncey said the town is now calling for Herefordshire Council to go back to the drawing board and consider alternatives to save it.

"The library building needs some renovation to comply with directives on disabled access, but there are two buildings that could be knocked into one to house it. There is also a very large empty car showroom that could be utilised," she said.

Less contentious proposals include installing a new Info in Herefordshire Shop together with the Tourist Information Centre into the leisure centre's reception area, which would be expanded, allowing the services to operate seven days a week.

Bromyard's Youth Advisory Service Way2Go would also be moved into an extension at the centre.

"We are waiting now to see what the council is considering. They will come back to us with the next part of the proposal," added Mrs Dauncey.