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An army of volunteer librarians is keeping Britain reading after Tory austerity triggered vicious cuts to paid staff.

Figures unearthed by Labour reveal the extent to which bookworms rely on dedicated amateurs to loan out top tomes.

Statistics from the Chartered Institute of Public Finance and Accountancy show that between 2010/11 and 2017/18, the number of paid staff in libraries in England, Wales and Scotland plummeted by 7,538.

In England, where the Tories were in power throughout, overall numbers dropped by 6,657 - some 35%.

(Image: Blend Images)

Falls were less steep in Labour-controlled Wales where numbers declined by 19% - equating to 225 paid workers.

And in Scotland, where the nationalists have been in power, the plunge was 646 paid staff - 24%.

At the same time, the number of volunteers rocketed in all parts of the country.

In England, they shot up by 27,509, collectively working more than a million extra hours, while in Wales they climbed by 1,662 working 34,706 additional hours.

(Image: Getty)

In Scotland, the number of volunteers rose by 729, working just over 6,000 hours.

Labour’s Deputy Leader, Shadow Culture Secretary Tom Watson, said: “Library volunteers are the last line of defence between central government cuts and losing library branches altogether.

“Volunteers are important to our public libraries, but so are professional staff with the expertise to support library users’ varied needs.

“Almost a decade of Tory austerity has caused professional library staff cuts across the country and volunteers are stepping into the gap.

(Image: REUTERS)

“Our library volunteers are community heroes. This Tory Government should learn from their example, put an end to these senseless cuts, and invest in our communities again.”

A Government spokeswoman said: “Local authorities have a statutory duty to provide a comprehensive and efficient library service.

“While volunteers are not a substitute for the paid workforce, they play an important role in supporting library services across England.

“We are investing in Britain’s future by providing local authorities with access to £46.4billion this year, which is an increase from £45.1billion last year to meet the needs of their residents.”