A BRADFORD MP has joined those campaigning to save the district's library service from major cut-backs.

Bradford South Labour MP Judith Cummins is urging Labour-led Bradford Council to rethink its proposals to close all but seven libraries, if volunteers are not found to run them.

Across the district, library opening hours and the money spent on books would also be cut, in moves to save more than £300,000 over the next two years.

There has been particular anger to the proposals in Mrs Cummins' constituency, which would see all its libraries either become voluntary organisations or close.

One petition, objecting to the possible closure of Wyke library, was handed in to the council two weeks ago.

And on Saturday, Mrs Cummins met campaigners fighting to save Wibsey library from cuts.

Mrs Cummins said: "I’m really concerned about the council’s budget proposals on libraries, which could lead to the closure of every public library in my constituency.

"But I also understand the massive disproportionate cuts inflicted on Bradford Council by central government.

"I’m urging the council to rethink this proposal. It comes at a time when education in Bradford requires major improvement in pupil attainment and progress."

Mrs Cummins said libraries were key to children's literacy, as well as an important focal point for older people and were often used as a base for community and voluntary projects.

Chris Haxby, one of those leading the campaign in Wibsey, said he was heartened by the strength of feeling in the community and felt they had "a chance" of forcing a rethink.

He said: "We are quite encouraged by the support there has been. One of the things that concerned us was the fact that all the libraries in south Bradford were going to close, leaving us with nothing this side of the city."

The threat to libraries across the district has dominated a public consultation into £53m of planned council cuts.

More than 100 people have so far contacted the council in support of local libraries.

Meetings have also been held in Baildon, Keighley and Bradford city centre.

Councillor Susan Hinchcliffe, the executive member who oversees libraries, said: "I quite understand people feel very passionately about their local libraries.

"They are at the heart of many communities and we have tried to keep the service as it is for as long as we can.

"But the Government cuts are so severe we are having to put these proposals on the table."

The council's budget for 2015 to 2017 is due to be finalised later this month and people can still have their say by visiting bradford.gov.uk.