TWO senior Tories are due to visit Wirral on Friday to visit libraries due to be axed under the council's closure programme.

The visit, organised by the prospective Conservative MPs in the Borough, follows the decision by Wirral’s Labour and Liberal Democrat Council to close libraries as part of the "strategic asset review".

Jeremy Hunt MP, Shadow Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, and Ed Vaizey MP, Shadow Libraries Minister, will meet with staff, library users and campaigners.

At 2.15pm, Ed Vaizey and Esther McVey will visit Hoylake Library, Market Street.

And at 2.30pm, Jeremy Hunt and Leah Fraser will visit Wallasey Village Library in St George’s Road, Wallasey.

The visit follows an Early Day Motion submitted in the House of Commons by Ed Vaizey and a letter by him to Andy Burnham, the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, asking for him to review the decision by Wirral Council.

Jeremy Hunt said: “I've heard how strongly everyone feels about the decision to close these libraries so can't wait to see how the campaign to save them is going.

"We all know how valuable local libraries are so I hope to do anything I can to help keep them open."

Esther McVey (Wirral West) said: “Communities across Wirral will be devastated if the Labour and Liberal Democrats do not change course.

"None of us can stand by and let this happen. The Cabinet are burying their heads in the sand and pushing on regardless of what the public wants.

"I am grateful to Ed Vaizey for his visit and look forward to showing, yet again, why Hoylake needs to keep the library.”

Leah Fraser (Wallasey) said: “The Strategic Asset Review is the biggest-blunder in the 35-year history of Wirral Borough Council.

"Many of the most deprived communities in Wirral will be worse off if these cuts go through. It’s alright for the Cabinet members; they can afford Waterstones or Total Fitness. Many of the people in Wirral are not so fortunate.”

Jeff Clarke (Wirral South) said: “The entire process of this Strategic Asset Review has been flawed.

"The last minute decision to axe Eastham Library is an outrageous manouvre by the Labour and Liberal Democrats. The community in Eastham is up in arms, and who can blame them?”