Option B, which is the preferred option of council officers, proposed maintaining the 14 ‘core’ libraries across Dorset and a further 10 that have been at risk during the consultation process.

The 10 libraries that could be spared from the threat of closure are: Beaminster, Corfe Mullen, Crossways, Littlemoor, Lyme Regis, Lytchett Matravers, Portland Tophill, Sturminster Newton, Upton and Wyke Regis.

The libraries that would still face the withdrawal of funding are: Burton Bradstock, Charmouth, Chickerell, Colehill, Corfe Castle, Portland Underhill, Puddletown, Stalbridge, West Moors and Wool.

Mr Chaney said that the majority of these libraries were unlikely to be able to take up the council’s offer to run themselves as community libraries and faced the prospect of closure.