COUNTY chiefs are rethinking their plans to cut opening hours at five libraries after being brought to book by readers.

Hampshire County Council is proposing to close two libraries and slash opening hours at 36 others as part of controversial plans to save £2.4m.

But just five weeks into a three-month consultation, library bosses have acknowledged proposed cuts might cause problems in Alresford, Eastleigh, Totton, Whitchurch and Leigh Park, but say the total number of hours will still be reduced by eight per cent.

For the full story see this week's issue of the Hampshire Chronicle, out now.