VILLAGERS are to turn out in force this week to mark end of their local library.

Since the early 1900s Chiseldon library has been at the heart of village life. But, on Thursday it will close.

Staff at the library are laying on refreshments to thank customers for their support.

Council bosses are set to introduce a mobile library to the village. A four-month trial is due to start on Monday.

But the decision to close the library has angered many of the villagers. Stephanie Bunn, of Draycott Road, compared the service to that of a post office.

"Both are an important meeting place and we seem to be losing more these days," she said. "From a social aspect, all sorts of people use the library.

David Hill, the chairman of Chiseldon Parish Council, said: "It is certainly disappointing that the library has had to close but it was costing Swindon Council too much money.

"I think a lot of people will miss it but we have to now concentrate on making the mobile library trial a success."

David Allen, Swindon Council's libraries and heritage manager said: "The library is only open twice a week and it's not economical. It's also in an isolated location in New Road and people find it difficult to get there. Under the new scheme, people will get the same wide choice of reading material."