Legal row 'an excuse to close library'

A library that has served south-east London for more than 100 years could be axed within months because of a dispute between two councils.

Upper Norwood Library's future is in doubt after Tory-run Croydon said it would pull out of a deal to fund it jointly with Lambeth, which it accused of breaching a legal agreement. Croydon has agreed to provide funds until the end of April when Lambeth completes a public consultation. However, a spokesman said the joint arrangement was "no longer tenable".

Local residents claim Croydon wants to sell its share of the building - an allegation denied by the council.

Deidre Mahon, a member of the Upper Norwood Library Campaign group, said: "This is about a disagreement between two councils and they're using a legal agreement to get out of providing a community library."

The 41-year-old marketing manager and mother added: "As we understand it, Croydon have asked their valuers to go in and be discreet about it and plan to sell their share. If Croydon walks away and there are no alternative moneys to fund the shortfall there's no way the library can stay open."

Florence Nosegbe, Lambeth's cabinet member for culture, said: "Lambeth remains committed to library services. We are putting forward proposals to Croydon and are asking them to work with us and local people."

A spokesman for Croydon said: "It is clear that the previous arrangement is no longer tenable."