Award-winning writer Alan Bennett showed his support for village libraries by turning up in Bentham and Ingleton where read-in events were being held.

Both libraries – threatened with closure as part of proposed cuts by North Yorkshire County Council – took part in Saturday’s national day of support.

And Mr Bennett, who has a home in Clapham, unexpectedly visited both libraries during the day.

At Bentham, supporters, including Langcliffe writer Helene Wiggin, who writes under the pen name Leah Fleming, read favourite passages and signed a letter to Skipton MP Julian Smith.

Irena Pritchard said there had been a very impressive turnout with 113 people signing the letter to Mr Smith.

She said an invitation had been sent to Mr Bennett and he had sent his apologies, but at the same time had said that “closing libraries was like child abuse”’.

The quote, which he was happy to be used, was then used to make protest posters.

“We weren’t expecting him, but he turned up later as the librarian was closing up and had a chat,” said Mrs Pritchard. He then went on to Ingleton, which also held a read-in.

Parish councillor Paul Weaire said the town was fighting the closure on the grounds of distance and its great importance to Ingleton.

He said: “The council is saying that libraries in market towns will stay, but Cross Hills is not a market town, but they have spent a lot of money on the library at Cross Hills. I don’t want to see any libraries closing, but their arguments begin to break down very rapidly.”

A meeting with county council officers is due to take place on Friday, February 18, when supporters are hoping for a stay of execution.

MP Mr Smith said he was continuing to support those communities who wanted to retain their libraries.

“While I understand North Yorkshire County Council’s needs to reduce costs in the library service, I am determined that the knowledge, access to information and online services that branches bring to our rural communities are maintained,” he said.

Campaigns are also going on in Gargrave and Embsay whose libraries are also facing closure.

The plans will be discussed at three meetings. There will be one at Bentham Town Hall on Monday, at 7pm; at Embsay Library on Tuesday from 6.30pm in the village hall; and Ingleton’s library meeting will on Friday, February 18, at 3.30pm in the community centre.