Protesters set to descend on Hampshire County Council today to condemn planned cuts to libraries.

Civic chiefs are poised to approve £1.7m savings which would axe the county's mobile service and could lead to library closures.

Anti-austerity campaigners are planning a last-ditch appeal outside the council's Winchester headquarters before the meeting this afternoon.

The proposed reduction of at least 14 per cent could open the door to library closures or handovers to volunteers, though no decisions are due until next year.

If approved the mobile library service would be replaced from June by home visits from volunteers.

The People's Assembly Against Austerity will criticise the "savage" cuts from 1.30pm alongside Save Lyndhurst Library, Winchester Trades Council and Unite the Union's Community Branch in Southampton.

Branch secretary Sean Cannon said: "Hampshire's library service has always been terrific value for money. It represents just 0.7 per cent of the county's budget and yet remains one of the most used council services.

"One in five people in Hampshire are regular library users and nearly seven million books were issued last year. "These savage cuts will cause enormous damage and yet will only save the county a mere £1.7m - when Hampshire has stockpiled nearly £400m in the bank."

If the controversial proposals are approved, the council will review the viability of 20 smaller libraries – including Fair Oak, West End, Lyndhurst, Alresford and Bishop's Waltham – with potential closures announced at the end of 2017. Others could be run by volunteers rather than professionals.

The council has pledged to consult further and use priorities set by the public if these changes are planned.

Nearly 10,000 people and organisations have responded to the proposals over the last three months, one of the largest responses the council has ever had.

One in five supported keeping the service as it is, according to analysis commissioned by the county council, with nearly 40 per cent opposing closures.

More than 60 per cent said the service required change to meet changing demand, while a quarter of respondents highlighted specific ways the proposals would hit the elderly, families, the disabled or people without cars.

Schools, care providers, tea groups, book clubs and councils were among the 90 bodies to have their say.

Most respondents said the mobile service, mostly used by over-60s, should close so long as alternatives were in place.

Those unable to access a library can have books delivered by volunteers and learn how to use online services for free.

The council is also planning to allow access to self-service desks outside staffed hours as it raids the £2m-a-year book fund to invest in technology.

Cllr Andrew Gibson, executive member for culture, recreation and countryside, will decide on a recommendation to approve the cuts at 2pm.