Music lovers are uniting against a council's decision to axe a music library service.

Officials at East Sussex County Council have decided to close music libraries in Lewes, Eastbourne and Hastings to save cash.

But the move has triggered an outcry from music lovers.

The Friends of Lewes Music Library plans to form a county-wide action group to press the council to salvage the service.

Dozens of campaigners were due to turn out at a public meeting organised by the group at Lewes Town Hall today.

They are also demanding a moratorium on cutting back stock without consulting users and to retain specialist librarians to keep an adequate service going.

Friends chairman Cynthia Eraut said: "We fear for the future of the service now the music libraries in Eastbourne and Hastings have been closed.

"Many books, scores and recordings have already been weeded out and sold."

Acclaimed singer John Tomlinson said it was appalling such a valuable body of music material should be dispersed.

He said: "It's impossible to reassemble it. What's being done is a terrible shame and has been done so stealthily."

The council's decision followed a review which, it said, showed a decline in the music library's use.

Officials insist the council has not closed the music library service but integrated it into mainstream libraries where people will still be able to borrow recorded music.

The meeting will be held from 8pm.