A TOWN centre library will begin opening on Sundays tomorrow but the move has been slammed as wasteful by critics.

Harrow Council leader Bill Stephenson and mascot the Library Lion will launch the new era at the Gayton Road branch, in St John's Road, at 1pm.

A ribbon will be cut to mark the first time the service has run on a Sunday since 2007 fulfilling a key pillar of the Labour administration's election manifesto.

But the move, which will cost £22,000 a year, has been attacked as wasteful by the Tory opposition at a time when the authority is faced with £50m cuts, including to library staff.

Councillor Reka Shah, said: “Residents tell us how important their local libraries are to them, but opening hours aren’t always convenient for people who work fulltime.

“Gayton Library already opens until 8pm on Monday to Thursday, until 5.30pm on Fridays and 5pm on Saturdays, but the Sunday opening will mean even more residents can take advantage of the brilliant services right in the middle of Harrow town centre.”

As many as 40 library workers could be made redundant and replaced with supermarket style self-service check outs in a bid to save more than £1m a year.

Trade union Unison poured criticism over the cuts, saying the council was “destroying” frontline services, and they were also attacked by residents who said staff are needed to give advice.

Councillor Susan Hall, leader of the Tory opposition, said: “We are in a world now I'm afraid where we are going to have to look at every penny being spent.

“While I love the idea that we can provide a library service on a Sunday the reality is we are going to have to make deep cuts somewhere – we are going to have to balance our books.

“One of the first things for Labour to do is open libraries on a Sunday which is typical of the way this administration is looking at things.

“It's more 'how can we spend money' than 'how can we save money with as little inconvenience as possible'.

“It's great for the few people who will use it but what about the rest?”

Cllr Stephenson said: “This is money extremely well spent we know the footfall in libraries on Sunday is extensive – it is one of the most popular times.

“We are revising a change the Tories made and it's very popular with local residents. We will continue to improve services even in hard financial times.

“We have an absolute commitment to our libraries, they are some of the best in the country and certainly the most loved. They are cherished by our residents.”