CENTRAL Library is to remain closed until further notice after St Helens Council confirmed repairs will take a long time to complete and run up “significant” costs.

The town centre library, which has been closed since March for essential maintenance works following water damage, was due to reopen in December.

However, the council now says both the inside and outside of the building require reconstruct work.

In a statement it said: “Extensive work to the exterior of the building is required to stop further damage being caused from water ingress.

“The reopening date has had to be put back and is at this stage unknown.

“The cost of the repairs is significant and the works will take a long time to complete.

“To avoid causing further inconvenience to library users an alternative town centre location is currently being investigated by the council and a number of other libraries in the borough are operating with longer opening hours.

“The council has apologised for any inconvenience caused and will provide updates on the situation in due course.”

As a result of the Central Library problems Eccleston Library will open longer on Tuesdays, from 10am to 7pm.

Haydock Library on Church Road will open longer on Monday, from 10am to 4pm.

Parr Library will be open on Mondays from 10am to 7pm and on Fridays from 10am to 5pm.

Peter Street Library will be open on Wednesdays from 10am to 5pm.

Rainhill Library will open longer on Wednesdays, from 10am to 7pm.

Thatto Heath Library will open on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm.

n For more information on opening hours visit sthelens.gov.uk/libraries.