VOLUNTEERS have set up a fundraising campaign to establish their own book lending service in the vacated Barham Park library being advertised for rent.

Brent Council is seeking tenants to take over the Barham Park Buildings in Barham Park, Harrow Road - one of which is the Barham Park Library which the Labour-run authority closed along with five other branches on October 13 2011.

The suggestion is that the seven buildings - the library, two sets of first floor offices, a ground floor lounge and ancilliary, a children's centre, the former BHWE offices, a community workshop, and a snooker, billiard and card room - could be used as a café, a restaurant, a nursery, a studio, a health spa, a gymnasium, or for sport, art, or other community or leisure activities.

In order to compete with any commercial offers made to take over the library building, The Friends of Barham Park Library has set up an appeal to raise the £25,000 it estimates it would cost to run a volunteer library, which is currently using premises at High Road, Wembley.

Francis Henry, who volunteers with his daughter Gabriella, said “Barham Park Library was our local library, within walking distance of our home, and therefore ideal for my seven-year-old and other children to go it.

"We want our library back and hope that other local businesses and residents will donate generously and be part of our crusade."

The friends group encourages business and families to contribute between £25 and £500 each.

Before the council agrees any rental, it has to publish a public notice to advertise its intented letting to allow people two weeks to object.

Donate at:  barhamlibrary.wordpress.com