Bookworms in Bournemouth and Poole are celebrating a £3 million lottery windfall which will fund two new libraries. The cash injection comes as 13 rural libraries across Dorset struggle for survival after being given a 12-month "stay of execution" by the county council.

While efforts are being made to secure their long-term future, cost-cutting measures have been agreed to meet a £500,000 shortfall in the council's libraries budget.

As residents in areas including Colehill, Corfe Mullen and Lytchett Matravers fight to save their libraries, book-lovers in Kinson and Hamworthy feel like they have won the lottery.

Kinson Library will be rebuilt after Bournemouth council secured a £1.8 million grant from the Big Lottery Fund's community libraries programme.

And Poole is also at the receiving end, with £1.2 million earmarked for a new community library and learning centre at Hamworthy.

Commissioning a "bid writer" to craft the lottery bid cost Bournemouth council £10,000 and has paid off.

Lottery funding, coupled with £800,000 from housing landlord services, will provide a new Kinson library, learning centre, creche and housing resource centre.

Cllr Barry Goldbart, portfolio holder for adult services, said: "It is a great honour to be awarded this grant from the community libraries programme.

"It is the result of partnership working of a wide range of organisations committed to providing high quality accessible services for the community of Kinson.

"We are delighted Bournemouth has been selected and it reflects our commitment to be at the heart of the community."

Cllr Peter Charon, who has responsibility for housing and procurement, said: "This is fantastic news for our North Bournemouth community.

"I am particularly pleased that the libraries and housing departments have collaborated so well together and that our significant investment in this community facility will be rewarded for years to come."

Cllr Peter Adams, the borough of Poole's cabinet portfolio holder for leisure and culture, said: "We are delighted to receive an award of £1.2 million from the Big Lottery Fund towards plans for a £2 million library and facilities in Hamworthy.

"We are now looking at ways to fund the council's contribution."

A bid by Dorset County Council for lottery funding to replace Blandford library was unsuccessful.