CUTS to libraries in Wirral and across the country have left the service nearing “crisis point”, union leaders warned yesterday.

Unison published a five-point plan calling for extra spending and more support from communities to save their local libraries.

But Wirral Council leader Cllr Steve Foulkes dismissed the criticism, saying having a “library on every street corner” was “nonsensical”.

Wirral announced last month it plans to close up to 14 libraries along with two museums and a theatre, as well as other council buildings.

Citing budgetary pressures, the authority said it planned to modernise its services and invest £20m in new centres which it said would better meet the needs of the borough’s population.

Unison’s plan was launched in response to the Wirral cuts, as well as a “drastic reduction” in services in Wolverhampton and budget slashing threatening libraries in Wales.

Dave Prentis, Unison general secretary, said: “The library service is nearing a crisis point after suffering years of funding cuts, de-skilling of the workforce and recent threats of outsourcing.

“Although more people visited their local library last year than went to the cinema or a football match, the numbers are declining and so we also need to concentrate on attracting new readers.

“Unison’s plan aims to put communities in the driving seat to shape their local library service.”