THE ban on religious posters in libraries, which resulted in a barrage of abuse directed at a Buckinghamshire county councillor and scathing criticism in the national press, is about to be lifted.

Margaret Dewar, the Buckinghamshire County Council cabinet member responsible for libraries, announced on Friday that the ban would go from April 1, provided there were no objections to cause her to change her mind.

She said: "I will be very glad when April 1 comes and this is put in place. It was an outdated policy and I recognised that from the beginning."

Political party posters will still be banned, as will illegal, inflammatory or offensive posters, campaigning, petitioning and fundraising material, unless supported by the council, and commercial advertisements.

If there is not enough space, posters relating to county, district and parish councils will get first chance, followed by those of local interest, the Government and public services. The final decision on what can be shown will rest with the library manager and will be based on the law.

It was in December that the storm broke over Cllr Dewar's head, when the boss of Wycombe library refused to carry a poster for a church service at the parish church. People accused the council of prejudice, because they said a Muslim children's party had just been held in the library.

The ban on posters of a religious, sexual and political nature has been in force for 20 years, well before Cllr Dewar's time. But her response to the criticism of the ban resulted in hundreds of abusive and threatening emails being sent to her. Her picture and email address were posted on the website of the British National Party. She found the abuse so traumatic that she refused to answer calls and was given police protection.

For a look into the race row, and for Cllr Dewar's exclusive comments, see Friday's Free Press.