A man who campaigned to save Hove library has changed his mind about leaving his home to the library when he dies.

Writer Christopher Hawtree, who founded the Friends of Hove Library, plans to leave it to the London Library instead.

More than 4,000 people backed his fight to stop Brighton and Hove City Council closing the building in Church Road amid claims it was too expensive to renovate.

His six-month campaign succeeded when councillors decided to spend £350,000 revamping it and improving disabled access.

However, book lovers including Mr Hawtree were horrified when they discovered plans to mix the reference and non-fiction lending sections.

At the moment they occupy different floors of the Grade II listed building, donated by Andrew Carnegie in 1908.

Mr Hawtree said the proposal to combine the sections was an example of "managers deciding it was a trendy idea".

Director of culture Tony Miller believes the system is part of the future model for libraries including Brighton's new main library.

A survey is being sent out to Hove residents asking them how the building should be laid out when it re-opens after work is carried out later this year.

Mr Hawtree, of Westbourne Gardens, Hove, said: "The survey appears to me to be deliberately confusing on the question of whether people want separate or mixed sections for lending and reference.

"The whole thing is very sad and I think that if this goes through it will be the end of the Friends of Hove Library.

"There will be no point in fighting for it any more and it will represent the end of community in Hove.

"I was thinking of bequeathing my house for the benefit of Hove library when I die.

"But now I will bequeath it to the London Library instead because I am so appalled at the way this has been handled.

"They still seem to be deliberately running Hove down because they want just one central library in Brighton."

Sally McMahon, head of the city's libraries, said in a letter sent with the survey: "Hove will be closing for some months for repairs and refurbishment, as well as providing facilities to help people with a disability.

"This will include the installation of a lift to the first floor and the provision of accessible toilets."

A council spokesman said: "We don't have a comment on Mr Hawtree's bequest.

"I would make the point that more money is now being spent on Hove library than at any other time in its history or under any other council."