Crowds of literary lovers joined forces to make their feelings heard on the closure of Heathfield library.

The demonstration was held to coincide with the nationwide save our libraries day.

Locally, Saturday saw Twickenham MP Vince Cable join members of Friends of Richmond Libraries and Heathfield residents to protest the closure of the library.

The library, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, will shut its doors for good on March 17 to make way for a new health centre.

Plans to relocate the facility to Heathfield Junior School have been scrapped by Richmond Council, who said the move was “unaffordable”.

The council has instead said it would look for a community venue to provide a limited library service.

Councillor Stephen Knight, leader of Richmond's Liberal Democrats, said: “There is huge public opposition to the closure of Heathfield library, which serves one of the most socially disadvantaged areas of the borough and a large area of west Twickenham.”