MORE than 50 protestors marched through the town this week to save Largs Library.

The group staged the demonstration in a bid to force a council rethink over controversial proposals to downgrade the facility and move it elsewhere in the town.

It was organised by Jack Muir, of Largs Writers' Group, who said he was delighted by the turn-out.

Mr Muir hopes the strength of feeling will make the council look again at the controversial proposals.

He added: "We had superb numbers and I hope that sends a message to the council that people aren't happy.

"I visited the Vikingar! and it is a cavernous space - and the staff showed me how incredibly well used it already is. "The library should stay where it is as it functions perfectly in every sense at the heart of the community."

The matter was also raised at last week's community council meeting.

Concerns were again voiced by Cllr. Tom Marshall that the chief officers at North Ayrshire Council are considering moving the library into the Viking Experience, which recently received a four-star attraction status by Visit Scotland.

Member Patricia Perman repeatedly asked Independent councillor Ian Murdoch for his view on whether the library should stay in its current premises in Allanpark Street.

He said: "I would only want to see the library move happen if it maintained the same floor space, community rooms, and jobs, otherwise it shouldn't move."

"I am quite happy for the library to stay where it is, but just to make myself clear if the council cabinet decide to move it, they must provide the same service."

Conservative councillor Tom Marshall said: "The library should stay here as it was a purpose-built building in the centre of town in the early 1980s.

"It has served that function well down the decades and there is no reason for it to change.

"I have come to the opinion that some of the chief officers want to move it to the Viking Experience. Most people would have to use a car to get to the Vikingar as it is too far out of the town centre, and we are trying to discourage that.

"The Viking Experience now has a four star rating, and is now run by KA Leisure, and I think it should continue as a tourism attraction."

Community councillor Drew Cochrane asked for assurances that if the library was to move to Vikingar, the existing Allanpark Street premises would remain as a community hub.

Patricia Perman added: "I predict if the library moves to the Vikingar!, the footfall will drop and the library will close. Watch this space."

An online petition to save Largs Library hub is available to sign at www.change.org/p/north-ayrshire-council-save-largs-library-no-move-to-vikingar