Readers overwhelmingly disagreed with the county council’s new proposal to cut library hours in a poll conducted by the Free Press.

The online ballot asked residents if they agreed that library hours should be slashed to save money amid what BCC calls "enormous pressure" on budgets.

A huge 85 per cent of respondents said it was important to keep services at the current level.

And while two per cent said they didn’t care, only 13 per cent answered that the savings should be made.

Buckinghamshire County Council run libraries - including High Wycombe, Beaconsfield and Amersham as well as Marlow, could see a scaling back of up to 8.5 hours per week under new plans.

The announcement came just days before this week's World Book Day, with councillors saying they need to shave £270,000 off the libraries budget.

County councillor and Wycombe District Council leader Richard Scott has spoken out over the move, saying it is "concerning" and must be chown to be necessary before any cuts are agreed.

The news drew also strong opinions from readers.

BFP commenter Buckslibraryuser said: "This is a significant reduction in library opening hours - overall an 18.7 per cent reduction for the nine large county-run libraries that provide the bulk of the county's library service.

"Library visits per head of population are already low in Bucks compared to other counties - reducing hours by 18.7 per cent won't help.

"Bucks residents deserve better than this. Councillors should be given a very hard time over these proposals."

And Mrs DaPoint sai: "Well, that'll be handy. The police station and tourist information office are to be located in Marlow library. How long before the property is converted into flats?"

A decision on the cuts has not yet been made, with a public consultation currently underway.