Worried villagers say they feel the future of Painswick Library is again in serious doubt.

Residents fear the recent sudden closure of the library rooms due to safety issues has added to uncertainty following the collapse of a community project to save the building.

Terry Parker, chairman of Painswick Parish Council, said the library would be on the agenda at the council's next meeting on January 20.

"There is considerable concern in the community about the retention of the library," he said.

"It is so fundamental. Apart from the library itself, the IT facilities there and the general social meeting place is important."

It was immediately before the Christmas and New Year holiday that Painswick Library, housed in a historic building in Stroud Road, was abruptly shut.

Gloucestershire County Council, which operates the book lending service, said fire exits were affected by structural problems and the safety of customers and staff had to be the highest priority.

Edward Young chaired the Painswick Gateway Project, which earlier raised more than £70,000 in promises of cash from villagers in the hope of buying the library building from the county council.

The project then aimed to renovate it and, in doing so, save the library service.

It was unsuccessful and was now "mothballed", Mr Young said.

"We are still in the frame if we could actually get some sort of dialogue going. We're a little bit frustrated that we don't seem to have been able to save it for the community."

Mr Young said he was hoping the county would reopen the library once its maintenance team looked at the building.

The parish council has tried to offer the county alternative venues for a library in the village.

Coun Antonia Noble, county cabinet member for libraries, said: "We have always said that we do not want Painswick to lose its library service but we do have to review how that service is delivered.

"The building is not suitable for a modern library service and we have to look at other options.

"We will consult local people before any changes are made."