Cross Hills' library building could be demolished to make way for a brand new purpose-built facility.

More than 70 per cent of those questioned in a major survey about the library said they would like to see a new one built on the existing site.

The library could also become home to other facilities such as a computer room and exhibition area.

Nearly 200 people attended a recent consultation exercise in the village aimed at discovering what people wanted from the library and if they had any ideas on how to improve it.

The project is being spearheaded by Glusburn-based South Craven Community Action.

Its chief officer, Milton Pearson, said the idea to look at uses of the library building came about following the closure of the Oasis caf set up to give youngsters in South Craven somewhere to go.

The caf was forced to close due to a lack of volunteers to help run it. And part of the building it was housed in has had to be demolished as part of the Co-op expansion in Cross Hills.

Yorkshire Planning Aid, an organisation which helps community building projects, has been drafted in to look at the technical side of revamping the library.

The group's Mike Dando said he was happy with the results of the consultation which brought in views from South Craveners of all ages.

"We asked people what they thought was the best option for a multi-purpose library building and gave them three options," he told a public meeting last week.

"The majority were in favour of demolishing the existing building and putting something new in its place."

The consultation also revealed suggestions of what else to include in a new library building.

Top ideas included a computer room, youth caf, exhibition area and council offices.

Those who took part in the survey also wanted a larger choice of books. And in the grounds of the new building, people opted for seating, a play area and more parking spaces.

Architect Ed Walker showed slides of similar multi-use community projects he had worked on.

Information collected from the consultations will be used to draw up a plan to put before Craven planners.

South Craven Community Action is working behind the scenes to tap into pots of grant money to fund the building project.