Halton's mobile library service is being axed as Halton Council faces £46 million of Government cutbacks over the next three years.

Councillors have vowed to keep the borough’s four libraries open but reduce hours to 157 a week.

This is 86 per cent of the current opening hours and represents a budget saving of £360,000.

The mobile service will stop operating on Saturday, March 28.

A Halton Council spokesman said: “The decommissioning of the mobile library service follows the recent review of library services, which resulted in keeping all four static libraries open, along with the outreach service at Castlefields Community Centre and the retention of the home delivery service for vulnerable and housebound residents.”

Users of the mobile service will be able to borrow and return books as normal until March 7 and will have until 28 March to make returns.

After this date, returns can be made to any of Halton’s library buildings.

From April 13, Halton Lea and Widnes libraries will open six days a week and until 7pm on Tuesday and Thursday.

Ditton and Runcorn will have a late night on a Tuesday until 6pm and close on Wednesday.

All four libraries will open on Saturday from 10am to 2.30pm.