Demonstrators will protest tomorrow at the proposed closure of the Old Town library in Eastbourne.

More than 500 people with placards are expected to demonstrate outside the library in Victoria Drive from 11am.

East Sussex County Council is due to announce its closure on Tuesday as part of a programme of cuts.

Petitions with more than 2,000 names will be presented to the chairman of the county council, Michael Tunwell, by Councillor Maurice Skilton before the meeting.

Youngsters from Pashley Down Infants School in Old Town have signed the petitions.

Coun Skilton, Lib Dem for Downside ward, said: "There is an enormous amount of concern, especially among schools where 3,500 pupils are served by the library.

"It will take away a huge asset which has been a part of the town for some 50 years.

"The library attracts about 200 people a day so I feel the shops along the parade could be vulnerable."

Susan Otter, who runs Otter's Pharmacy in Victoria Drive, said she had written to Councillor Meg Stroude registering her concern.

She was told the library would close by the end of March.

Mrs Otter said: "The people of Old Town have been given a kick in the teeth for all their efforts but I rather think they will kick back."

The library is one of a several county council-run organisations facing closure in an effort to keep council tax bills down.

Coun Skilton said he planned to move an amendment at Tuesday's meeting calling for the library to be saved.