KEIGHLEY library users have welcomed news that Bradford Council will be spending roughly £114,000 on maintaining the building.

The cash forms part of a £2 million council property scheme, and will be used to benefit the roof of the historic North Street property.

Andy Wade, of the Men of Worth military history research project, said: "I don't know the extent of the problems with the roof, but as I used to work in the building trade I know that a structure can look fine from the outside but actually need a lot of work doing on it.

"The library is over 100 years old, so it's great that they will spend this money on maintaining it. This is an investment they need to look after, so in that respect I'm all for it."

Joyce Newton, chairman of the Keighley and District Local History Society, said: "It's nice to see that the council are putting money into looking after Keighley's heritage.

"The library is an important part of our townscape and must be taken care of, otherwise it would just deteriorate.

"The reference library is very well used because a lot of people from outside Keighley go there to research their family histories."

The work on the Keighley Library building will feature an estimated £114,390 worth of investment.

Flat roofing forming the property's parapet gutter will be replaced with new "composite material".

Rotten timbers and slates from the pitched roof will be removed and replaced, and there will also be replacement felt and insulation.

Bradford Council has explained that these improvements will stop water seeping into the building, and will also boost energy efficiency.