RESIDENTS are being given the chance to have their say on changes to opening times at libraries across the county.

Opening hours are set to be slashed at all 34 Dorset libraries as the county council's library service fights to find around £500,000 in savings.

Now people are being invited to comment on the changes for their local library by completing a short questionnaire.

Dorset County Council has been forced to find millions of pounds of savings over the next three years.

As a result the library service launched an efficiency review last year in an effort to find around £850,000.

The county council's cabinet has put together a package of proposals to help achieve the required savings, including cutting opening hours.

Cabinet member for adult and community services David Crowhurst said: "We want to make sure that access to all Dorset libraries is fair, appropriate and that the service is convenient within each community.

"This is a chance for people to tell us when they want their library open.

"The county council aims to provide the best quality library service for residents throughout the county, within the resources available."

The questionnaires will be made available until December 8.

Dorset library service manager Tracy Long said: "We hope that making the questionnaires available in libraries and online will enable young and old to have their say."

Town and parish councils have been invited to consider paying for additional library opening hours on top of those the county council can afford as part of the move.

So far both Chickerell Town Council and Stalbridge Town Council have expressed an interest in taking up the offer.

The revised opening hours are expected to be in place across Dorset by the end of summer next year.

Visit your local library or go online: www.dorsetforyou.com/libraryconsultation