Sutton’s libraries have bucked the national trend by recording a surge in the number of visits.

Sutton Central Library has also been named as one of the most popular in the UK, according to the latest figures.

Statistics show the number of visits to UK libraries has dropped by 2.3 per cent.

However, in Sutton, there was a 4.12 per cent increase and 1,484,976 visits to the borough’s nine libraries.

Sutton Central Library is also the 15th most popular in the UK, with 677,118 visits over the last financial year.

Councillor Graham Tope, Sutton Council’s leisure and libraries spokesman, said: “I’m delighted with these figures, which vindicate our decision to keep all of our libraries open.

“Local libraries should be a real community resource and can be a lifeline for many residents, offering much more than just books.

“The figures show how highly valued our libraries are in our communities. While other authorities are closing branches, we’ve found that by locating them with other services, such as at the Life centre, the Phoenix centre and from the end of next year at the new Westcroft leisure centre, it enables them to stay open for much longer than was previously possible and attract more visitors – including many who wouldn’t use a traditional library.”

Sutton’s libraries offer more than just books; they hold events including book and poetry readings, classical music concerts and fashion shows.