Campaigners fear a library could be axed after Croydon Council threatened to terminate its involvement in the Upper Norwood Joint Library agreement with Lambeth.

The move has been met with widespread criticism by Lambeth Council and library campaigners who have accused Croydon of making a move to "kill off " the jointly-funded facility.

Croydon Council leader Mike Fisher wrote a letter to Councillor Steve Reed, Lambeth's leader, on June 24, suggesting to cut the cost of running the historic library.

Coun Fisher said the 110-year-old library could be operated solely either by Lambeth or Croydon.

He acknowledged the service was “highly valued locally” and wrote: “We would like to work closely with you on this proposal, which would require our officers to work jointly to establish potential savings in comparison with a comparable branch library in Lambeth or Croydon.”

He added: “In the event of our two authorities being unable to agree on how we would both like to move forward, the council may formally request the termination of the 1994 Upper Norwood Joint Library agreement.”

Coun Reed said he feared Croydon’s plan for the Library was to “kill it off” and it was not acceptable for Lambeth to have to pay for a facility that was used half by Croydon residents.

He said: “Croydon have failed to meet their share of the funding agreement for the past four years despite protracted negotiations. Now they are issuing ultimatums that are just a smokescreen for them wanting to pull out and kill the library.”

Coun Reed said they would look at the legal remedies available if Croydon chose to break the legally binding agreement with them.

Pam Gray, secretary of the Upper Norwood Library Campaign, said: "Its absolutely deplorable that Croydon is threatening the future of the library and its users in this way.”

She said she welcomed Lambeth's support in fighting Croydon's actions, and the campaign would “fight wholeheartedly to protect an absolutely vital community resource”.