CAMPAIGNERS say they will continue to fight for Lyme Regis Library – but admit they must put alternative plans in place.

The Save the Lyme Regis Library group said the priority was to retain a library service and has come up with ‘imaginative’ suggestions to secure its future.

The campaigners said they were feeling more optimistic following a meeting last Friday with West Dorset MP Oliver Letwin.

It came after Dorset County Council agreed to consider ideas proposed by campaign group Ad Lib that could keep the 20 threatened libraries open, including Lyme and Charmouth.

But councillors also voted to proceed with a three-month consultation to hand over the libraries to community groups.

Lyme Regis campaigner Anita Williams and town councillor Lorna Jenkin met with Mr Letwin in Dorchester.

Ms Williams said: “We know our library building is incredibly expensive to run, but we find it really frustrating that lots of ideas have been put forward but Dorset County Council have not been interested in talking about them.

“Now they want to shut us down without talking about something that might make a difference.

Mr Letwin welcomed the suggestions and said he was ‘determined’ to change something.

He said: “I think that the sort of plans they are talking about are very imaginative and I think we could end up with something better than what we have currently.”