RESIDENTS battling to save a library say they are "disgusted" after the city council admitted it had been under threat for two years – but not told them.

Nottingham City Council recently announced its intention to close Wilford Library.

The Wilford Community Group was asked in January if it wanted to take on the library in a "community asset transfer".

However, it has emerged the process is too complicated to be completed before the library is due close on March 31.

"People are fairly disgusted," said Stephanie Taylor, chairman of the Wilford Community Group. "It is frustrating and disappointing. We are not stupid and we have creative people in the community but we can't do it in two minutes."

After an appeal by the group, Coun David Trimble, portfolio holder for communities, told the Post the March 31 deadline could be relaxed so that the possibility of community ownership can be explored properly.

Coun Trimble had sparked anger in Wilford when he revealed the long-standing threat to the library. At a meeting with the community group, he said he had delayed the closure plan for two years after it was initially raised.

But Ms Taylor said: "We were disappointed he had not told us that because the ideas of the community taking over the library cannot be put into practice immediately. We wish we had known sooner."

The community group is due to meet Coun Trimble again today. "We will be asking for more time," said Ms Taylor. "We are not going to lie down easily."

The city council has offered to sell the building, which is in significant need of repair, to the community for £10.

But the council has struggled to find any community where a library has been successfully transferred to a residents' group.

Residents are also considering whether they could sell the building and use the money to build another community facility, supplemented by grants.

Staff at Wilford Library have been told to expect to move.

Brian Hardy, a member of the community group, said residents were only made aware of the plans on Christmas Eve.

Mr Hardy said: "David Trimble said he had known for two years [about the potential closure] but he did not tell anyone. That is not consultation."

Coun Trimble said that council officers proposed to close Wilford Library two years ago, but because he made the decision to keep it open there was no need to tell the public that it was ever under threat.

He said Wilford library was considered to be too small too modernise, whereas Wollaton, The Meadows and Southglade could be upgraded.

"The officers this time around put in proposals to close it. It was me wanting a community asset transfer, if we can. Had it not been for me doing that, it would have been a straight proposal for closure.

"I am happy to keep negotiations going as long as it is reasonable. I am happy to negotiate with them on other alternatives. I am not intending to close on March 31."

charles.walker@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk