SCHOOLS minister Jim Knight has branded plans to charge for internet access at Swanage Library a "tax on learning".

As the South Dorset MP condemned County Hall's proposals, other library supporters said they feared the charge was the thin edge of a wider cost-cutting wedge.

Mr Knight said: "It is known that falling visitor numbers to Dorset libraries have been reversed by the popularity of free internet access.

"So bringing in charges at a time when we are encouraging people to use their local library seems unfair."

Last month, in a bid to tighten its purse strings, the county council agreed to the charges.

By next April adults will pay £1 for every extra half-hour session, while children aged up to 18 and students will surf for free for up to two hours.

"While the charges proposed are admittedly small, if implemented, my view is this would be an unfair tax on learning," argued Mr Knight.

Meanwhile, University of the Third Age's Swanage membership secretary William Ogden said: "When you consider the government has called for more children to be able to read and encouraging literacy, then the county cutting library services seems ridiculous. This isn't a sudden thing, but it represents a gradual degeneration of library services."

Mr Ogden, who said many of his members use Swanage Library, added: "The concern is that this is the start of wider cuts that will see libraries opening less and services getting worse."

Buckinghamshire libraries reported a 30 per cent drop in library use following the implementation of computer charges.

In Swanage the library terminals prove particularly popular with students, many of whom cannot afford their own machines.

Dorset County Council's Library Service manager, Tracy Long, said: "The proposal to charge for use of the computers is a solution that will help us provide the a range of quality services for residents throughout Dorset within the resources available.

"Charging for use of the computers has been suggested by members of the public and 32 other council library services have introduced similar charges."

The proposal still needs to be approved by cabinet.