Protesters empty library

The residents of a council estate near Stockport, Manchester, were so incensed when their local authority decided to close down their library that they decided drastic measures were needed.

After heated discussions about the best way to protest against the decision by Stockport council, they finally came up with a plan that was completely legal.

Around 200 people marched to Adswood library yesterday and borrowed every book. Andrew Greystone, a television researcher and one of the protesters, said: "Each person is allowed to take out 10 books for three weeks and we just piled in there and grabbed them by the yard. Now we just have to hope the council changes its mind."