PROTESTERS from across Essex gathered outside the county council offices in their hundreds in the hope of saving their under-threat libraries.

Banners were raised representing libraries including Southminster, Danbury and Wickham Bishops, and the rest of the 24 libraries at risk.

Campaign group SOLE – Save Our Libraries Essex – led the march through the streets of Chelmsford city centre, starting at the Saracens Head in High Street before heading to County Hall in Market Road.

Bryan Mogridge, of Maldon, launched a petition at the beginning of the consultation in a bid to force county council bosses to reconsider their plans.

Since then, the petition has received 9,780 signatures.

Mr Mogridge said: “My library is thriving. It is always busy with people of all ages reading newspapers and periodicals, borrowing books, DVDs and CDs, accessing the internet, researching their family ancestry and speaking to others.

“Libraries are fantastic assets to the community and need to be saved.

“No libraries in Essex should be closed or downgraded to being run by volunteers.

“The elderly population of Essex need these libraries.

“Many do not have computers and some of them may not speak to anyone else in their day.

“We need local libraries in local communities which can be accessed on foot or bike by all sections of society.”

Protesters of all ages joined the demo, which ended with speeches from leading lights of the campaign.

To sign Mr Mogridge’s petition, go to you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-our-essex-libraries.