HAMPSHIRE'S mobile library service is under the microscope.

Parish councils are being asked to give their views on the service.

Lib-Dem county councillors have warned in election campaign leaflets that the valued service to mainly rural areas is under threat.

But a county council spokesman has denied this, saying it was a review to make sure the service was going to the right places at the right times.

The plan is to upgrade the fleet over the next two years and change the types of vehicles to provide for future needs.

There are currently 19 mobile library vans and one vehicle taking books to the housebound.

The proposal is for two large mobile libraries, nine traditional mobiles, three housebound vans, four community link mobiles to provide a service for sheltered accommodation and one family link vehicle, which visits playgroups.

The two large vehicles will be "showpiece" mobile libraries, each carrying up to 4,000 books and access to the internet. They will be used in the evenings and weekends to take workshops and events directly to communities.

John Waddington, executive county councillor, executive member for recreation and heritage, said: "Hampshire residents have welcomed mobile library services into their local communities since the 1950s-particularly in isolated rural areas.

"However communities have changed, as has the demand for the service in different areas, and we need to ensure that any changes reflect modern-day needs.

"We look forward to receiving feedback from parish councils, as comments made by Hampshire residents will play a major role in shaping the future of the service."