A compromise deal to save mobile libraries stopping throughout the county is not enough, critics have claimed.

Essex County Council bosses have announced a U-turn over plans to save cash by scrapping visits to areas within two miles of a library.

Funds will be saved by making all mobile library stops fortnightly instead of weekly.

Executive Conservative community services councillor Iris Pummell, who represents Wickford, said the decision showed the council had listened to the 3,035 people who responded to a public consultation on the proposals.

But the opposition Lib Dem group's community services spokesman, Theresa Higgins, said it was "political arrogance of the first degree".

She said: "The public's views about this service could not have been made any clearer and yet the Conservatives have blatantly ignored them."

Under the revised proposal, all stops would be reviewed and some might face the axe, with the fortnightly service introduced at those which remained, but there would be no blanket imposition of cuts.

Mrs Pummell said "The aim of this review is to address this and to help ensure the mobile library service is run as efficiently as possible in future."

Mrs Higgins said: "Whichever way the Tories spin this story, there is now a huge reduction in what is a much valued service in communities."