SALISBURY library is set to close for a training day next month.

Along with eight other centres across the county – none of them local, the library will close for one day on February 5.

Wiltshire council says this is to "bring all staff together for essential training".

All mobile libraries will also be closed.

To keep as many libraries open for the day as possible, four further libraries will be open for self-service, while another 10 will be operated by volunteers and open as usual.

Locally, this includes Durrington, Downton, and Ludgershall.

Councillor Allison Bucknell, cabinet member for libraries, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience caused, but we have chosen a Wednesday to keep disruption to a minimum, as this is the day when the fewest libraries are open.

“We don’t take the closure of libraries lightly, but we hope residents will bear with us as this is the first full training day for libraries staff for several years.

“This essential training will ensure that our staff continue to deliver a service that meets the needs of our residents.

“We are always happy to take feedback on our services, so if anyone has any comments on how we can shape the service to best meet their needs, our friendly teams in our libraries throughout the county are there to help.

“We would like to take this opportunity to thank all our library customers for using the service.”

The council has also confirmed that customers will not need to return books on February 5 and any fines due will not be charged on that day.