COUNCIL chiefs have warned that reducing library opening hours will have a massive impact on the most vulnerable people who rely on services.

The professional body representing librarians is calling on Inverclyde to reject the move, which would save £80,000.

It is one of the cuts proposed by Inverclyde Council in a bid to balance the budget this year.

But Sean McNamara, who is the head of the Chartered Institute of Library and Information Professionals in Scotland, said: "Cutting opening hours could have the biggest impact on users who most rely on the service.

"How much value a local authority attaches to its libraries can often be a good indication over how much it values its people, and whilst we once again acknowledge the huge challenge in balancing budgets, we hope you choose not to reduce library services."