Repairs are planned to stop Hove's much-loved public library from crumbling to bits.

The library, in Church Road, is a Grade II listed building built almost 100 years ago.

It was one of many libraries up and down the UK provided by philanthropist Andrew Carnegie.

Last year, Brighton and Hove City Council officials found cracks in the ceiling and the outer walls.

Now officials are recommending repairs to the building and the installation of a lift for disabled people.

The work will cost £144,000 and the cash-strapped council will have to see if money is available.

Some of the work is urgent and can be carried out this year using money in a maintenance fund.

The rest should be carried out within the next three to five years.

The council even looked at moving the library to another location.

But culture director Sarah Tanburn said the cost of a new library or moving it into another building would be higher than repairs.

She added: "Moving the library from its current location would also be unpopular as the existing purpose-built library is much loved by local people.

"It would also be appropriate to invest in maintaining an attractive traditional library in Hove as a complement to the modern library planned for Brighton."

Liberal Democrats on the council tabled a motion, which was accepted, calling for better disabled access.

Group leader Paul Elgood said: "Residents unable to use the first floor of the building rightly demanded action. I know that one consideration was to move the library but I am glad that the decision is being made to improve access to the current building.

"Hove library and its location are very much part of the Hove community."