PUPILS hope their "voices will be heard" after penning persuasive letters to stop their library closing.

The handwritten letters, created by St Charles’ RC Primary School children at in Knowles Street will Rishton, are due to be delivered to the County Council.

Year five pupil Michael Montgomery branded the proposal to close the public building "a terrible idea".

MORE TOP STORIES:

The youngster wrote: “Think about all the children who love reading books.

“Think about what we would do without a local library.”

Classmate Edie Greenwood wrote: “Just think of the poor children who don’t have any books at home.”

Their efforts to safeguard their community building follow an announcement that it was one of 17 libraries in East Lancashire at risk of imminent closure.

A public consultation has been launched over the proposals, which come as the county council looks to save £200million by 2021.

Another year five pupil Keira McKellar wrote: “Can you remember what it felt like the first time you walked into the library?

“Can you remember the rows and rows of fantastic books waiting to be explored?”

A selection of the children’s handwritten and typed missives will be sent to county council leader Cllr Jennifer Mein.

Harriet Hargreaves, year five class teacher, said: “The children talked about their experiences of the library and were very sad to hear that it may be closing.

“We decided to write the letters after reading about the petition to keep the library open.

“They are very enthusiastic about keeping it the library open and have produced some excellent writing.

“We are hopeful that the children’s voices will be heard as they are the future of the community.”

Pupils from St Peter and St Paul’s CE Primary School have also written to the council.

Teacher Emma Clark, 40, whose petition to save Rishton Library topped 600 signatures, said: “The Local primary schools are very much supporting our campaign.

“I believe their last published piece was in The Independent so we have highly talented children.

“Our local pre-school has even been in contact and went en masse to visit the library.”

Across Hyndburn, groups and petitions have been set up in an effort to save the three libraries earmarked for closure in the borough.

Residents fighting to save Oswaldtwistle library may are looking to take it on as a community interest company.

Save Oswaldtwistle’s Unique Library (SOUL) was set up after a public meeting last week.