Ray Tucker lent his support to Members of Friends of Preston Library

An Olympic Team GB member joined library campaigners at a pub quiz to raise funds towards their fight to reopen a closed branch.

Ray Tucker, who grew up in Kensal Rise, attended the event held by Members of Friends of Preston Library (MFPL) at The Preston pub in Preston, Wembley, yesterday evening.

The quiz raised £350.

Mr Tucker, who has been picked for Team GB in the World Duathlon Championships which is taking place in Canada this August, recalled visiting the Kensal Rise Library (which was also closed) as a child.

He said: “It was like a place of worship and was regarded as the best library reading room in Britain.

“It was opened by Marl Twain and I remember tourists used to come from around the world to visit it.

“What a shame that such a short-sighted council would want to close such an historical institution.”

Geraldine Cook, MFPL campaigner, added: “Ray feels strongly about the necessity for local libraries as formative in young people’s lives and that is why he has supported us in this marvellous way.”

In 2011, Brent Council closed six libraries to save £1million.

Alongside Preston and Kensal Rise, Tokyngton, Neasden, Cricklewood and Barham libraries were also axed.