MORE than 200 people have signed a petition to save Ringmer Library.

The Tory-led East Sussex County Council is proposing to shut down seven libraries across the county.

Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson James Gardiner, and member Rob Parsons handed in the petition.

Mr Gardiner said: “It is quite clear that the council has miscalculated on this.

“Ringmer Library is well used and provides services at a local level that cannot be replaced by inviting people to attend main libraries miles away from where they live.

“The savings involved in closing Ringmer Library are tiny and the cost to the local community will be huge.

“The county council encouraged the village to build a new library.

“It was even opened by the council chair, and now, no more than 17 months later, they want to close it.”

LibDem county councillor Philip Daniel said: “When this issue arose at the Cabinet meeting on 19th September, I argued very strongly in favour of Ringmer Library staying open.

“I will continue to argue that case.

“The county council has to save money because of the intransigence of our Tory government but this is not the way to do it.

“We now have the Tory county council in the ironic position of arguing against the cuts imposed by the Tory government.

“We will of course do our best to help the county council win that argument”.

Kelly-Marie Blundell, the LibDems’ PPC for the Lewes constituency, said: “It is not just Ringmer Library that is under threat, but also Polegate Library and the mobile service.”

The county council said no final decision has yet been made.