Following a two-day strike which forced the closure of Fareham, Gosport and Havant libraries and other smaller branches, Lib Dems are calling for a freeze on any job cuts until a full review of the service has taken place.

Hampshire County Council wants to cut 27 out of its 60 professional librarian posts, and another 17 could have their pay cut.

But the opposition spokesman for recreation and heritage Cllr Peter Chegwyn said all changes should go on hold until a scrutiny panel made up of councillors has looked at how the service is run. The panel is due to meet later this year after more than a year of being put back.

He said: ‘Hampshire’s entire library service is being put at risk by Conservative plans.

‘These are men and women who have given many years of service to library users. Their experience and expertise cannot be replaced.

‘As the county council has already agreed to undertake a full review of Hampshire’s failing library service, we believe the cuts should be frozen until that review is completed later this year.

‘Instead of making a bad situation even worse, the county council should face up to the fact that Hampshire’s libraries are in crisis.’