A library is to be improved at a cost of £350,000 after it was saved from the axe.

City councillors had earmarked Hove library for closure after deeming renovations too expensive.

The book collection from the Grade II-listed building, donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1908, was to have been transferred to Hove Town Hall, several hundred yards along Church Road.

But more than 4,000 people joined campaign group Friends of Hove Library, set up by writer Christopher Hawtree to save it.

The campaign succeeded when it was announced in March the library would remain open.

Money for the refurbishment programme is expected to come from Brighton and Hove City Council's maintenance budget and property improvement fund.

The council aims to revamp the building and improve disabled access.

Under the Disability Discrimination Act, better access must be planned or put in place by October.

Deputy council leader Sue John said: "We're taking the opportunity to organise the library's resources better and make more of its wonderful music collection.

"Our aim has always been to create a first-class, fully accessible library. Residents have told us loud and clear they want that to be in the existing building.

"We're determined to provide really excellent facilities for everyone, including disabled people and parents with buggies."

The building needs roof and stonework repairs, asbestos removed, damp-proofing, lighting and cabling installed, and structural work, painting and decorating. Main access improvements will be a lift to the first floor for customers, a lift to the basement for staff and fully accessible toilets.

Shelving, furniture and public IT equipment will be improved and CCTV installed for better security.

Liberal Democrat group leader Paul Elgood said: "The future of Hove library at its present site has been secured.

"That is very welcome and reflects the views of the vast majority of residents who wanted to see the building as the centre of the local community.

"It is also good news that work will start on making the building more disabled-friendly at long last."

Alterations will be scheduled around the closure of the temporary Brighton library at Vantage Point, near Preston Circus, and the opening of the new central library in Jubilee Street next spring.

External works at Hove will start next January, finishing in April or May, with the building set to reopen in August.

The policy committee will consider a report on the plans on July 21. Members of all four parties are in favour.