Tourist information centres in the Wycombe district are set to merge with the library service from next month in a move which the council says will save taxpayers “thousands of pounds”.

Wycombe District Council (WDC) confirmed it will pay Buckinghamshire County Council (BCC) Library Services to run the information service, with the “more efficient” arrangement saving the district council around £200,000 over the length of the initial five-year agreement.

While the information centres in High Wycombe, Marlow and Princes Risborough have moved from buildings into their respective town libraries in recent years, they have kept separate service points with their own dedicated staff.

This is all set to change from April 1, with a single team to check out books and DVDs, answer questions about council services and give advice to visitors about places to visit in the district.

WDC’s cabinet member for community, cllr Julia Adey, said residents would benefit from an “improved experience” as a result.

Margaret Aston, BCC’s cabinet member for community engagement, said: “This is an important milestone in our plans to make Buckinghamshire’s libraries the focal points of their communities – while also ensuring they are more financially sustainable.”