DARTMOUTH and Stoke Fleming libraries are among those that could face the axe under proposals being considered by Devon County Council.

More than half of the county's libraries could face a shake up of services, with communities being asked to take over their running – or face possible closure.

A briefing paper lists 28 of the 50 public libraries in Devon where council support is being cut.

Nobody was available for comment at Dartmouth Library – that was set up in purpose built accommodation at the Flavel about ten years ago – on Wednesday when the announcement was made.

Dartmouth Town Council is expected to discuss the possible closure of the town's library at a meeting on Monday.

Regular user and town councillor David Gent said everything should be done to protect the service.

'I will be bringing the matter up at Monday's meeting of the town council,' he said.

'Dartmouth Library is less than 10 years old, it's purpose built and one of the busiest libraries in Devon,' he said.

'I defy anyone to come up with a logical explanation as to why to close it.'

'As for the community taking more of a hand in its running, where do you stop?

'They want the community to run everything now. Eventually we will be running the schools and digging the roads.'

Meanwhile, parishioners in Stoke Fleming are expected to be rallying to save their community lending facility, that was also under threat a few years ago.

Parish clerk Sue Tweed said: 'The library is an essential service in the village especially for those people who do not have transport into Dartmouth.'

The library paper proposes keeping 22 major libraries – to be known as Devon Centres – under council control. It is understood the libraries will be located in key areas and become 'community hubs' - incorporating information technology, adult learning classes, cafes and business support services. The remaining libraries will receive assistance from the council – in areas such as book buying and management support – but communities will be expected to take over much of their running through volunteers.

The library service in Devon has to save another £1.5m due to spending cuts, the briefing paper says, in addition to a £3m cut over the last three years.

Cllr Roger Croad, the county council's libraries spokesman, said: 'This is not a closure programme, I can absolutely assure you we are committed as a county council to libraries, we think libraries are great.

'We just need to evolve the way we support them and move forward.'

But library users have voiced concern, saying they fear losing much loved and important local assets.

A consultation on the proposals will get under way later this month.

People have three months to submit their ideas and views to the county council.