THE INQUIRY into Wirral Council's plan to close 11 libraries has been extended by 21 days after the proposals were dramatically ditched this week.

Wirral South MP Ben Chapman says he was told about the extension of the local inquiry, chaired by Sue Charteris, by Libraries Minister Margaret Hodge.

The extension is designed to give interested parties more time to consider the U-turn and make any further submissions.

The council's decision to scrap the closures, announced by council leader Steve Foulkes, who leads the Labour Group, and his Liberal Democrat deputy Simon Holbrook, is itself now being treated as "additional" evidence.

Mr Chapman said: "I have spoken to Libraries Minister Margaret Hodge to discuss the council's reversal of its decision to close 11 libraries in Wirral.

"I understand there will now be a 21 day period in which interested parties can respond.

"Over the last few months I have constantly campaigned against the closure of libraries in my constituency, corresponding with ministers, presenting petitions to Parliament and working with local people.

"The news will come as a relief to staff and users who have been anxiously awaiting the outcome of the inquiry.

"I do not believe that modernisation should compromise the core provision of access to services.

"My constituents want local libraries within easy reach of their homes and schools, rather than big, multi-purpose centres which are harder to get to.

"However, there remain many questions to be answered. I am concerned about the budgetary implications of the council's new position.

"Coming as it does, just before the Charteris Report was likely to be published, the timing and manner of their volte-face also requires further explanation.

"The future of other community assets included in the Strategic Asset Review remains of concern."