STAFF in libraries across the county have agreed to end their threat of industrial action, it has been announced.

The workers, members of Unison, had been in dispute over proposed changes in staffing planned for the service.

Kent County Council said a newly-signed agreement would see both sides working together to ensure a libraries transformation programme would be implemented positively.

In June, staff at libraries thoughout Kent staged a one-day protest strike and union officials warned it was the beginning of a summer of campaigning.

Welcoming the end of the dispute, ll Sarah Hohler, deputy council leader of KCC, said: "This agreement paves the way for a bright future for our libraries and everyone who works in them.

"We all look forward to working together to implement the new structure and deliver the improved library services that the people of Kent want and deserve."

Mary Nolze, from Unison, said: "This gives us an opportunity to move forward into a new era for library services in Kent."

The one-day strike in June came after 76 per cent of library staff voted for a walkout as a result of plans to increase the number of frontline library staff.

KCC had claimed no savings would be made as a result of the planned changes but some workers claimed it would see work undertaken by senior staff carried out by junior employees.

They also claimed there would be an overhaul of the salary grading system resulting in some staff receiving less money for doing extra work.