LIBRARY campaigners are celebrating after gaining more than 30,000 signatures on a petition opposing proposals for countywide cuts.

Dr Shan Newhouse was among a party who went to County Hall in Chelmsford to hand over the petitions as a representative of Sible Hedingham library.

She said more than 400 villagers in Sible Hedingham signed the petition in just ten days.

“You almost never come across someone who isn’t keen on the libraries staying open,” said Dr Newhouse.

“It’s like a universal desire.”

The total number of signatures presented to Essex County Council has passed the number need to force a debate of the issue at full council.

A spokesman from Save Our Libraries Essex said: “We have had a thousand people march through the county town. Thousands more have joined protests across the county, and this huge number of signatures - at least 30,000 - has been collected.

“In fact we know of other petitions whose organisers couldn’t join us today, which means the true number is probably nearer 50 or 60,000.

“It sends a message loud and clear to Essex County Council.

“The people of Essex are against this act of cultural vandalism. Our libraries must stay open.”

Dr Newhouse said the Sible Hedingham campaigners are now looking forward to plan more events before June to help save the library.

She is also urging those who want to keep Sible Hedingham library open to join her in writing letters to Essex County Council leader David Finch.