A vigorous and successful campaign against cuts to Buckfastleigh’s library services has earned its Friends group an award from Libraries Unlimited.

The group mobilised local opposition against a cut in weekly staffing hours at Buckfastleigh Library from 15 to just six.

It was part of the Devon-wide overhaul of library services proposed by the county council at the end of last year.

More than 25,000 people responded to a public consultation on the changes, with fierce opposition to the cuts from communities across Devon.

Last month the council ditched the proposals and approved a £2 million programme of investment and improvements to Devon’s libraries instead.

Soon afterwards the Friends of Buckfastleigh Library were announced as winners of Libraries Unlimited’s Volunteer Advocate award.

Anne Goulborn from the Friends said: “The campaign here in Buckfastleigh was one of the most active in the county and we think this is why we won.”

She said the number of library users who registered as Friends tripled as a result of their campaign, which was also supported by Buckfastleigh Town Council and their county councillor Stuart Rogers.

“A big banner went up outside the Town Hall. A poster and flyer were designed, printed, delivered and put up in windows around the town. We communicated with local media and councillors, attended meetings, printed extra copies of the consultation document and promoted their completion on a street stall and in the library.”

Announcing the Friends of Buckfastleigh Library as winners of the award, Libraries Unlimited said they were ‘determined, organised and very effective’.

Anne said they have supported their library and its staff for several years by fundraising, organising book-related events and liaising with the community.

They are ‘delighted’ with the county council’s U-turn on the service cuts, and grateful to everyone in the local community and beyond who put time and energy into their campaign.