Primary pupils have joined the growing list of groups campaigning fighting to keep Essex's rural libraries open.

Year 5 and 6 students at St Peter's Church of England School in Myneer Park, Coggeshall, have written letters to county hall urging them not to close their village library.

The service in Coggeshall is one of many which faces an uncertain future after Essex County Council unveiled radical plans to change how it runs libraries.

Volunteers may be needed to keep the building in Stoneham Street open if county hall decides to press ahead with its proposals once the consultation period closes in February.

The uncertainty has seen pupils at St Peter's put pen to paper and outline why they want libraries to remain open.

Team Leader Sarah Armitage said: "As a school we fully support the pupils in their objections to the closure of the local library.

"It is a very valuable resource to us as a school, as well as the wider community, we timetable visits and have frequently had artwork displayed there.

She added: "The idea for writing the letters came at the end of an English unit on persuasive writing. We had already written to water companies asking them to remind people to think carefully about what they put down the drains/sinks then, when the library closures became a local issue, we discussed it with the children and they felt they would like to write letters to persuade Essex County Council to review local closures."

The letters highlight key concerns over the impact the potential closure of Coggeshall library could have on the community.

Students argue the service is a valuable resource for the elderly and it is a place for parents can take their children to "promote a love of reading."

Pupils have also pointed out that should volunteers fail to come forward and Coggeshall Library close, their nearest service would be based 10 miles away in Colchester.

Essex County Council says its plans to change its library service could help save £3.7 million and is in response to a reduction in the number of users.

Members of the public have until February 20 to have their say on the scheme.

Visit libraries.essex.gov.uk/libraries-consultation.