Campaigners stepped up their fight to save under-threat libraries in Croydon yesterday.

A day of action saw residents march to show their support for South Norwood and Norbury libraries - which are among six libraries at threat of closure by Croydon Council.

Library campaigners staged a mass book takeout at Norbury library to show the popularity of the facility.

Some 150 people borrowed the maximum number of books possible - 25 for adults and 12 for children.

Mark Smith, who is leading the campaign, said: “We didn’t manage to take every book out of the library; that would have been quite diffficult.

“But our action showed how library use is so important to people, and also increased library membership, as a lot of people joined up in support.”

Earlier some 300 people marched through Norbury in protest at the possible closure. In South Norwood a similar march took place.

Norbury, Shirley, Broad Green, Sanderstead, Bradmore Green and South Norwood libraries are all listed as options for closure in a public consultation from Croydon Council, which finishes on February 20.

Thousands of residents have signed petitions opposing the closures.