The Tories have been warned they face a public backlash at the local elections after they voted to close Eastbourne's Old Town library.

Campaigners turned out in their hundreds to convince councillors that the library in Victoria Drive should be preserved.

But yesterday councillors on Tory-held East Sussex County Council decided to axe the 50-year-old library to save £26,000. It will shut next month.

The move was today greeted with anger from members of the Old Town community, who said it was vital for pensioners and around 3,500 youngsters at nearby schools.

Campaigners said the Tories' control of Eastbourne Borough Council could now be jeopardised at May's borough elections as a result of the decision.

Mother of two Diane Cooper, 34, said: "The Tories will come to rue this decision, I guarantee it.

"It just goes to show they haven't listened to a word from the huge numbers of people who had fought so hard to keep it open."

Lib Dem councillor Maurice Skilton presented a motion at the meeting at Pelham House, Lewes, calling for the library to be kept open.

He also handed over petitions carrying more than 2,000 names to Michael Tunwell, chairman of the council. But both were defeated.

Coun Bert Leggett, Lib Dem for Downside ward, said: "I cannot understand why they have got their priorities so badly out of kilter.

"I have never known a reaction like this to a decision."

More than 400 peaceful demonstrators gathered outside the library on Saturday in a last-ditch bid to sway councillors' minds.

Susan Otter, who runs Otter Pharmacies in Victoria Drive, said: "It's a great shame they have chosen to railroad over huge public opinion like this."

Eastbourne Tory Coun Aubrey Vickers said: "The level of opposition was taken into account.

"But it was felt the library was too small to put modern equipment in and, as it was within two miles of another main library, the decision was taken to close it.

"We know there was opposition to this but this we were deciding on a budget of £400 million and this was one of many decisions that were taken."