CHANGES to Hampshire libraries' opening hours are set to be unveiled next month.

The 40 county council-run libraries are set to have new opening hours following a public consultation.

It comes as in July Hampshire County Council approved plans to close eight libraries.

Earlier this month the authority launched a consultation as it looked to reduce the opening hours of the remaining 40 libraries.

It was proposed to reduce libraries' opening hours by an average of 20%.

But as previously reported, a county council document revealed that the opening hours of some libraries could increase or decrease by up to 39% "to achieve a standardised approach".

Cllr Seán Woodward, executive member for recreation and heritage at the county council, said: “The team are currently analysing responses to the consultation confirming the changes in staffed opening times at Hampshire libraries and we will be in a position to confirm the details of these in early September. The decision to reduce staffed opening hours was one of the recommendations I agreed at my Decision Day in July, so the exact times for each branch are not subject to a separate decision. We will make sure this information is available to customers, for example on our web page and in library branches, in good time before any changes are made which we expect to be complete by January 2021.”

As reported, the libraries set for closure are those in Blackfield and Lyndhurst , Fair Oak, South Ham, Elson library in Gosport, Horndean,Lee-on-the-Solent library and Odiham library in Hart. The authority also withdrew its support to community libraries in Lowford, Milford-on-Sea and North Baddesley. The closures as well as the reduction in opening hours are part of a move that would save the council £1.76m.