TOWN Hall bosses have insisted a High Court hearing about the closure of libraries in Gloucestershire will have no bearing on a decision in Bolton.

Judge Justice Beatson has announced there will be a full judicial review into Gloucestershire County Council’s decision and that, until the next hearing in September, the affected libraries and mobile libraries in the county would remain open.

As many as 10 libraries across Bolton are under the threat of closure as part of a wide-ranging review of all library provision.

Conservative leader Cllr John Walsh has written to Bolton Council’s legal chief for guidance on the authority’s own process, to ensure it would stand up to legal scrutiny.

He said: “I have been given an assurance by the chief executive, Sean Harriss, that we have had a robust consultation period, but I want to see clarification in light of the Gloucestershire case.

“Judicial reviews are not granted lightly. If we cannot be assured our process is robust enough, then we should not waste any more time and money until after the outcome of the review.”

A council spokesman said: “Many authorities throughout the UK are in the position where they are looking at a review of their library service.

“However, at this stage no decisions have been made in relation to Bolton libraries.

“A report is due to be discussed by the council executive on July 28 and members of the public will get the chance to have their say on the proposals before any final decision is made.”

The reorganisation is being proposed as part of Bolton Council’s plans to save £60 million over the next two years.

The library service shake-up could potentially save £500,000.

Central Library in Le Mans Crescent, as well as Farnworth, Westhoughton, Horwich, Blackrod and Little Lever libraries are all safe.

But Astley Bridge, Breightmet, Bromley Cross, Castle Hill in Tonge Moor, Harwood, Heaton, High Street in Daubhill, Highfield (Orchards) in Farnworth and Oxford Grove in Halliwell face closure under the proposals.