EFFORTS to save a closure-threatened library have taken a step forward, The Northern Echo can reveal.

Nestled in the heart of its community and used by more than 10,000 readers, Cockerton Library is one of only two remaining in Darlington.

In recent years, the library been threatened repeatedly with closure and was set to shut its doors for good in 2016, when council funding is being withdrawn.

Last year, an appeal was put out for voluntary groups to step in and save the community hub.

Groups including Age UK Darlington, Darlington Citizens Advice Bureau and Darlington for Culture came forward to express an interest in helping to keep the library open.

The Northern Echo has discovered that Darlington-based voluntary organisation eVOLution has begun negotiations with the council in a bid to safeguard the future of the library.

The group’s involvement was revealed on social media following a meeting chaired by Cllr Nick Wallis, the council's cabinet member for leisure, on Wednesday (December 10).

Following the meeting, Labour Linda Hughes posted an update in the Darlington Friends of the Library Facebook group.

She wrote: “Due to reductions in public spending resulting in difficult financial decisions for Darlington Borough Council, the future of Cockerton Library has been a matter of concern for some time.

“However, following discussions with a number of interested groups, the council has developed an approach to secure its future.”

“The board of eVOLution has agreed to begin negotiations and undertake a consultation exercise with Darlington Borough Council and its stakeholders in the hope that a future plan for Cockerton Library might be established for the benefit of all Darlington residents.”

Cllr Wallis added: "We are delighted that we have been able to take positive steps towards securing the future of Cockerton Library thanks to a new way of working that we hope will see eVOLution develop and manage Cockerton Library as a community library staffed by volunteers, but supported by the council providing books and professional support.”

A series of volunteer recruitment events will be held at the library throughout January.

They will take place on Monday, January 26 from 6.30pm to 8.30pm, Wednesday, January 28 from 2pm until 4pm and Saturday, January 31 from 2pm until 4pm.

For more information, call 01325-266888.