USERS and librarians mounted a protest after the shock news that four Forest libraries could close.

Bream, Newnham, Mitcheldean and Cinderford are among the 11 county libraries that will be ditched over the coming months.

Lydney will become a part-time 'Library Express'.

Only Coleford and the newly revamped Newent will keep full-time opening of 48 hours.

There are around 30 librarians in the Forest but it is unclear how many jobs are under threat.

On Tuesday afternoon about 40 protesters gathered outside Cinderford Library claiming it was unthinkable the town could be left without any provision.

Librarian Catherine Escott-Allen doubted any community group would take it over.

"We realise that we have to live within our means and that it is probably right that Newent and Coleford have been selected to be the Forest's main libraries," she said.

"But we do not think it is right that services should be going from Cinderford.

"The county council's own statistics show it is an area of multiple deprivation and this council has pledged to support vulnerable people."

Julie Carthy, of Forest Read Easy Deal, said: "The council try to dress it up as an opportunity, but it's not, they are taking away our library.

"I work and run my own voluntary group, I don't have time to take on any more. There's only so much people can do and only so many grants to go around."

Joseph Hansford, 19, said many young people from Acorn House relied on Cinderford library.

"I would be very angry if it closed down because it is somewhere young people who do not have a laptop can go to use a computer," he said.

Mum Anna Wilson is angry after being told she cannot leave a petition to save Mitcheldean library on the counter.

"It is basically down to bankrupt Forest villages to try to finance some faint shadow of a library or a community centre," she said.

West Dean Parish Council met last night to discuss Bream library which opens 10 hours a week in part of a former school, now the West Dean Centre.

The council were already in negotiations with the county about moving the library into the main building.