CHIRK residents turned out in numbers to have their say on potential changes to the town's library services.

A public consultation session was held at the library on Thursday, to gather views and suggestions from people in the town about how the services can be altered to improve them while saving funds.

Wrexham County Borough Council (WCBC) has been asked to make budget savings of up to £300,000 at the county's libraries over the next two years.

Some library users were fearful of the library closing completely, but Rebecca Lowry, head of regeneration at WCBC said closure is the worse case scenario.

"We know libraries are well used and we know how people feel about them," said Rebecca.

"People speak so passionately about how important this service is for them.

"Unfortunately the council and the public sector organisation is under terrible challenges to reduce their budgets.

"The best outcome for me is that we enhance our services and meet our customer needs, while still meeting the financial requirements.

"We're open to any suggestions."

More than 50 residents attended the consultation, with many others filling in forms online.

Chirk resident Angharad Morris said she believes the service is brilliant, and really hopes it stays open in the town.

She said: "I don't want the library services to stop here in Chirk – I've been a member of the library here for more than 50 years.

"I use it at least once a month to collect books and use some of the other services.

"If they reduced the opening times or even the days they're open, that would be ok, but as long as they keep it here.

"It's great here because they have a lot of Welsh books for me.

"Some children come here after school with their parents – they won't be able to do that if it closes.

"The girls who work here are so good. They encourage the young children to read and make up stories for them to enjoy.

"It's not just coming in and getting a book, it's more than that."

Lorraine Jones, also of Chirk, agreed with Angharad.

She added: "I've always lived in Chirk and a library has been here as long as I can remember.

"My mother uses the library and she'd be completely lost if it wasn't here.

"It provides an important service, I'm not sure how much the computers are used, but I'm here to pick up books at least once a week.

"I'm just inclined to look at it from the point of view of someone like my mum.

"I probably wouldn't bother travelling to Wrexham or elsewhere for books if this wasn't here – I don't think a lot of people would be willing to travel to another area.

"It would be a big loss if it was to go."

WCBC for Chirk South, Councillor Terry Evans, was in attendance, and was happy to see so many people at the consultation.

He said: "It was busy all afternoon from 2.30pm onwards. There was a steady constant flow of people, so I think we're going to have in excess of 50 forms filled out.

"This library is important; it doesn't just cover Chirk, but it also covers the whole of the Ceiriog Valley, people come here from Llanarmon, Pontfadog, Tregeiriog and Weston Rhyn.

"We've had a library in Chirk for more than 70 years – I remember working in the library n the parish hall as a young lad.

"I wouldn't like to see it lost – it's a community hub."