RURAL communities in the Crediton area are among those most likely to suffer after Devon County Council announced proposed cuts to Devon's mobile library service are to go ahead.

The council says the cuts to the service will leave it more financially sustainable for the future.

Under the changes, 65 of the most under-used mobile library stops will be removed from routes from April onwards.

Users of the remaining 454 stops will see the frequency of visits change from fortnightly to monthly.

The council says more people will have the opportunity to receive books and spoken-word items delivered to their homes instead.

It says the new service will require fewer library vehicles and the changes will help the council save up to £125,000 a year towards the £110 million cuts the council faces over the next four years due to Government funding reductions.

Locally, due to them having three or fewer regular customers, the library service will be withdrawn at Beech Lea, Ashreigney; Bondleigh Bridge; Fishleigh Cottages, Chapleton; Cheldon Church; Coleford crossroads; East Worlington Village Hall; New Road, Folly Gate; Morchard Bishop war memorial; Green Hill, Poughill; School Close, Shobrooke; Merrymeet, Whitestone and Yeo View and the Mare and Foal at Yeoford.

Consultation about the proposals before Christmas drew 1,585 responses from mobile library users.

Only a small number, 62 responses, referred to the 69 under-used stops proposed for withdrawal on the grounds that had just three or fewer people regularly visit them.

Having heard the responses, the council decided to reinstate four of those "at risk" stops, reducing the total number of stops to withdraw from the service to 65.

These are at Capton, Holcombe Rogus, Tween Moors Cross and Zeal Monachorum.

Of the 62 responses, 70 per cent said they will continue to use the library service in other ways - either using other mobile stops; their nearest static library; or the Home Library Service.

The majority also said that they would continue to use the service on the new four weekly basis.

A number also asked about the council's Home Delivery Service, which is provided by the Royal Voluntary Service.

Under that scheme, anyone unable to use a static or mobile library because of illness or due to advanced age or disability, can receive books and spoken word items at home.

"When we reviewed the mobile library service three years ago, we introduced a criteria to ensure stops were well used," says Cllr Roger Croad, the council's cabinet member with responsibility for the library service.

He added: "A small number of stops have over time become significantly under-used and the service costs significantly more per customer compared to our static libraries.

"I would like to thank all those who responded to the consultation. I'm pleased that with their comments, we've decided to keep four of the stops that we'd previously proposed for withdrawal.

"And I'm also pleased that most people by far have said they'll continue to use our library services.

"These changes will come into effect from April, with new timetables published in February."