TWO big names have thrown their weight behind the campaign to save Dorset’s libraries.

Cabinet minister and West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin and Oscar-winning scriptwriter Julian Fellowes have backed calls to Dorset County Council to safeguard them from closure.

It comes as the council’s cabinet today considers four money-saving options over the future of library services in the county.

Lyme Regis and Charmouth are among 20 libraries threatened with closure, although new plans to save 10 of them – including Lyme – are looking hopeful.

The council’s Policy Development Panel has already supported Option D, which would save all 34 of Dorset’s libraries by cutting staff and the book fund.

But members of the authority’s Community Overview Committee last month voted down Option D and agreed that all four options would be presented to the Cabinet, with Option B the preferred choice.

Lord Fellowes, a Conservative peer, told the council’s leaders that he was amazed to hear the Conservative councillors defeated the bid to save all the libraries.

He added: “Especially when it seemed to have been made clear that there was a sensible and workable plan which meant the essential savings could be made anyway, and that there was therefore no need to wreck this precious facility.”

Mr Letwin has also sent a message of support to campaign group Ad Lib (the Association of Friends of Dorset Libraries).

He said: “I am a keen supporter of local involvement in community libraries and I welcome the fact that people in West Dorset continue to make important contributions through voluntary efforts.”

Ad Lib chairman Tim Lee said: “We are enormously encouraged by the support of two such high profile Conservative politicians, especially as it was Conservative councillors who voted down a call to preserve all the libraries last month.”

The four options put forward

• A – Retain 14 core libraries and offer the remaining 20 libraries to be run by local communities (supported by the county council).

• B – Retain 24 libraries, and offer the remaining 10 for local community ownership and management (supported by the county council). This option would involve a reduction in the book fund and in frontline, management and support staff. Income options would be introduced through contributions for book reservations and reading groups would be invited to make donations to the service.

• C – Reduce opening hours across all 34 libraries by 10 per cent, cut the book fund and reduce frontline, management and support staff. Charges would be introduced for book reservations, and reading groups would be invited to make donations to the service.

• D – Reduce the book fund, review the approach to buying books, cut the frequency of book deliveries, and reduce management and support staff.