A DOZEN campaigners have staged a sit in at Highworth Library. 

The library was due to close at 4pm but when staff instructed the group to leave, they politely refused. 

Their protest formed part of a 'day of action' against cuts to the library service set to be passed by the Swindon Borough Council cabinet on Wednesday. 

The proposals would see Swindon's council-funded library provision cut by two thirds, from 15 to five. 

While Highworth library will continue to receive funding, it will see a reduction in staffed hours down to just 15 per week.

The sit in group, the oldest of whom is 73, held a demonstration earlier today in Highworth town centre. 

They spent their time writing letters to ministers, their local MP Justin Tomlinson, and Swindon Borough Council councillors. 

The group said they would not leave until they had delivered their message of protest to a senior council officer.

Shortly before 5pm, around an hour into their protest, the council's Head of Libraries made herself available and the group were able to make their feelings known. 

The entirely peaceful protest ended shortly after that.