CAMPAIGNERS battling to get St James's Street Library re-opened have gained the support of the Children's Laureate.

Michael Rosen, who is also a children's author, said he was upset and angry when he heard the library in Coppermill Lane, Walthamstow, was closed.

"I live in Hackney, not far away, and I know very well how important libraries are to the people of east London.

"I've seen how people of all ages and backgrounds use libraries and if our councils close them down, we are cutting off the chances of thousands of people being able to get their hands on information, ideas, stories and poems to make their lives interesting, fulfilled, endurable and enjoyable."

The protestors petitioned an overview and scrutiny management committee meeting at the town hall on June 14 and cabinet member for leisure, arts and culture, Cllr Geraldine Reardon, is expected to reply to their questions at the next committee meeting on July 4.

Library users are angry that what they see as a valuable local resource has been closed and angrier that they were not first asked for their views.

Campaigner Sarah Kinson said: "The council should have allowed local residents the chance to put the case across for keeping St James's Street library open, before they closed it.

"The first local residents knew of the closure was when they saw the library doors locked after the Easter bank holiday weekend."

It is a far cry from the flourish with which the library was opened on September 13, 1963, after councillors had spent three years looking for a suitable site and gaining planning permission.

The Waltham Forest Guardian reported the event, quoting the Mayor of the time, Mrs W.M.Palthorpe.

Cllr Palthorpe said the library represented a long held desire to provide a library in the St James's Street area so as to save borrowers the long walk to the Central Library in the centre of Walthamstow.

The building was converted from three shops at a cost of £12,000 but was meant only to be temporary. Councillors originally hoped to build a permanent new library for residents.