Threatening youths have terrorised staff and damaged property at a Copeland library forcing councillors to slash opening hours.

Frightened customers have stopped visiting Cleator Moor library, after school closing time, due to "unacceptable" behaviour from vandals.

One library worker had her car damaged while youngsters have repeatedly intimidated staff, damaged seats, knocked over bins and littered over a nine-month period.

Appalled county councillors have now cut the popular library's opening time by eight hours, with services only available between 9am and 2pm, four days a week.

Last night, Cleator Moor Town Council, the police and youth workers were holding crisis talks to search for a solution to the problem.

"We have had significant and threatening anti-social behaviour from young people," said Gillian Elliott, Copeland's area manager.

"There has been criminal damage to staff vehicles and people have said they are too frightened to go to the library when young people are around.

"There is a temporary restriction of hours at the library, it is a disappointment to all of us who have been working there."

Children visit the library, after school, to take advantage of the free WiFi but this had to be suspended in January as the county council tried to discourage the behaviour, which has caused library users to stop visiting between 2.30pm and 5pm.

"I'm absolutely horrified, to do this in the day time is something else," said county councillor Norman Clarkson.

"I think cameras should be put in there to find out who they are. It has got to be stamped out quickly."

Helen Gilmour, clerk of Cleator Moor Town Council which has been battling the problem, said: "There has been quite a lot of low-scale damage with bins knocked over, rubbish thrown everywhere and seats damaged. There's also been problems at the Civic Hall, with people getting on to the roof.

"It's not acceptable. I understand they are not only from Cleator Moor but coming from other places. I've been given a list of names and passed it on to the police.

"The library is a very well used resource but I imagine this would be putting people off, it's not very welcoming."

Chairman of Copeland's local committee Frank Morgan said: "We need a co-ordinated response to address the problem, that's why we're bringing in youth workers.

"No one wants to see what has happened, we've got to try to find solutions that aid and assist. If there is behaviour to the detriment of our staff we will take the appropriate action."

While councillor Mike Hawkins said: "When I heard about this I thought it was totally unacceptable, our staff shouldn't be subjected to anti social behaviour. They don't come to work to be treated like that."

Cleator Moor Library, Market Square, is now open on Monday, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday between 9am and 2pm.