A PENYGROES county councillor has expressed shock over the closure of the village library – while local MP Jonathan Edwards has voiced concerns over the loss of the village’s doctor’s surgery.

Angry Sian Thomas claims Carmarthenshire County Council has reneged on a pledge not to close the library.

She said she was previously assured that there were no plans to close it and that it was not even on any list of possible closures.

But the library has been replaced with a twice monthly mobile service.

"As the local ward member, I would have expected to be at least advised in advance of the proposal to close the library, especially after having raised the question with the relevant officers on a number of occasions," she said.

"I was given very clear assurances that the council had no intention of closing this library, and that the library was not even on any list for potential closure.

"I am extremely disappointed and angry at the way this has been handled."

Meanwhile, Mr Edwards has warned the loss of Penygroes doctor's surgery will be a particularly savage blow to the people of Llandybie who have already lost their local GP service.

Mr Edwards said that whilst a new surgery was earmarked for Cross Hands many residents had voiced disapproval at what they felt was a lack of consultation.

Furthermore, he said, many have questioned why the exhibitions of the proposed surgery are only being displayed in Cross Hands and not in Penygroes.

"This will come as a double blow to residents in the Llandybie community who have already lost their local GP service and had transferred to Penygroes," he said.

Mr Edwards has now written to the Hywel Dda Local Health Board highlighting his concerns.

*Cllr Thomas will be holding a public meeting about the closures in the village Memorial Hall today (Thursday, June 17) at 6.30pm.