Crusaders are battling to save half of the borough’s branches

Library campaigners will find out this afternoon if their appeal against a High Court ruling that paved the way for six branch closures is successful.

Crusaders have been battling to save the branches in Barham Park, Cricklewood, Kensal Rise, Neasden, Preston and Tokyngton since the council announced they faced the chop in a �1m cost-cutting measure.

Despite 82 per cent of respondents to a council consultation being against the closures town hall chiefs declared they would go.

Undeterred, campaigners set up an umbrella group aptly named Brent Libraries SOS and took a precedent case to the Royal Courts of Justice in July where they argued the consultation was flawed.

The Judge ruled in Brent Council’s favour and the branches were closed with immediate effect.

Campaigners lodged an appeal against the decision which resulted in the council agreeing not to take any irrevoiable steps such as boarding up branches or emptying them of their stock.

However, campaigners will have to pay for the cost of security out of their own pockets which could be around �10,000.

The ruling will be made at the Royal Courts of Justice at 2pm.