CASH-strapped Hampshire Library Service has come under fire for splashing out on new uniforms while cutting the book budget and axing librarians.

A corporate clothing working party' has been set up to choose winter and summer outfits for staff at Winchester's new Discovery Centre, which is due to open in November after a £7m revamp.

The group of eight staff had an away-day' at Winchester Tennis Club in Bereweeke Road to consider different styles, material samples and colours.

But a librarian, who asked not to be named, said: "A lot of staff think it is an offensive waste of money at a time when book budgets are depleted and qualified staff are losing their livelihoods."

The council cut £250,000 from the book fund last April to balance the recreation and heritage department budget.

County chiefs are axing 27 out of 60 librarians and downgrading a further 17 in an attempt to save £1.2m this year.

But Cllr Margaret Snaith, executive member for recreation and heritage, denied the uniforms were a waste of money.

She said: "Not only does the corporate clothing clearly identify staff for the benefit of the users, they also help to project a modern image and help to build a sense of pride in the job.

"The corporate clothing helps staff to look even more professional - like any bank, building society and indeed other local authorities."

Cllr Snaith said the council had not yet calculated the cost of the uniforms.

* THE new director for Winchester Discovery Centre is Neil Cole, who is currently head of leisure services at Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council. His salary was increased from £38,565 to £50,538 after the council failed to fill the new post.