Cash-strapped Brighton and Hove Council needs to find a six-figure sum to save a popular library.

Brighton and Hove Council has agreed to essential repairs, including structural work, at Hove Library in Church Road.

At the same time, it needs to install a lift so disabled people can reach the first floor.

At a meeting today, councillors will have to decide what to do about the funding.

The council already expects to have a deficit of £5 million at the end of the financial year. Culture director Sarah Tanburn said the estimated cost of the work was £144,000.

She added that a full structural survey of the building, which is about 100 years old, might reveal the need for more repairs.

Ms Tanburn said: '"The installation of a lift and the structural repairs will need to be carried out if a library service is to continue in the existing building."

The council has looked at moving the library to another building in Hove but this would cost more than the repairs.

She added: "Moving the library would also be unpopular as the existing purpose-built library is much loved by local people.

"It would also be appropriate to invest in maintaining an attractive, traditional library in Hove as a complement to the modern library planned for Brighton."

The council is looking at trying to get outside help for funding the repairs to the library.

Repairs are needed following an inspection which revealed cracks in walls and the ceiling.