Branch libraries in west Oxfordshire have longer opening hours than anywhere else in the county -- and this is set to continue.

This has been possible through top-up funding from the district council, which is considering a similar finanical aid package for next year.

The council's cabinet is being asked to continue a £30,000 package for 2002-3 and has survey figures to show users value the extra hours. In two months late last year, the survey showed there were more visitors and more books issued because of the longer hours.

The branch libraries helped by the grant and allowed to pay extra staff wages are: Bampton, Burford, Carterton, Charlbury, Chipping Norton, Eynsham, North Leigh, Stonesfield, Witney, Woodstock and Wychwood.

Libraries are run by Oxfordshire County Council which several years ago considered cutting hours and closing some of them because of budget shortfalls.

In west Oxfordshire, the district council has been helping the service with a £30,000 grant for the past four years.

County librarian Andrew Coggins said: "By making this payment the libraries in west Oxfordshire are able to stay open longer hours than the equivalent libraries in the other areas in Oxfordshire."