Campaigners have vowed to save Eastbourne's Old Town library, which shuts today - by taking it over themselves.

The Friends of the Old Town Library say they will reopen the building in Victoria Drive, which is being closed as East Sussex County Council cuts costs.

The group plans to take over management of the library and believes volunteers can be found to take the place of paid staff.

Funding will still pose a problem but the group is confident it would be able to reopen the library in about two weeks.

Chairman of the Friends Pam Carter, of Eldon Road, Eastbourne, said: "We have had lots of offers from volunteers to staff the library but what we really need is funding to buy books.

"Hopefully we can carry on using the fixtures and fittings."

The group is supported by councillor Maurice Skilton, whose emotional appeal to members of Eastbourne Borough Council for backing last month was refused.

He said: "We will do our best to provide some kind of service.

"We are going to appeal for funds, volunteers and books and hopefully open again in few weeks' time.

"I don't think there will be as many books as before but we will try. The building is owned by the council and it is being most helpful.

"I think it will look after us and let us run a library service."

Campaigner Susan Otter, who runs Otters Pharmacy next to the library, said: "The friends have been working very hard behind the scenes.

"There have been plenty of people round here who have volunteered to help man the library but that is the easy bit. The difficult part is arranging the finances."