BEWDLEY'S library should be relocated to the town's new medical centre, according to residents who took part in a consultation.

A total of 81 per cent of the 173 people who responded to a three-month long Worcestershire County Council survey agreed with the authority's proposal to move Bewdley Library from its current Load Street home to the town's new medical centre, which will be in Dog Lane.

Half of the respondents said they "strongly agreed" with the plans, 30 per cent "agreed" and 14 per cent disagreed. One person said: "Retention of a library in Bewdley is essential for the community. It makes sense to have a number of facilities together. Get the car parking right."

Conservative councillor John Campion, the council's Bewdley division member, said: "I would like to sincerely thank everyone who has taken their time to get in touch or fill in the consultation survey as it is extremely important in the decision making process and the future of our town's library service."

Councillors say the preferred option would see the library move into a new, purpose built facility and would provide improved and joined-up services with other organisations. The other two options were to relocate to Bewdley Museum or St George's Hall or remain at the existing location - but leaders said these would have been the most costly.

If planning permission and funding is granted for the new medical centre then the project, including the new library, could be completed by September 2015.