Fury from campaigners as Lambeth Council spends £5,000 on video justifying cuts

Lambeth Council uses the film to explain cuts it has and will make Credit: Lambeth Council/YouTube

Campaigners fighting to save libraries and play areas have reacted with fury after a council spent £5,000 on a propaganda video justifying cuts.

The short film, called Tough Choices, was produced by Lambeth Council in south London.

Two council libraries in Lambeth are due to close today due to "severe budget pressures".

Local residents fighting to save the libraries said they were appalled by Lambeth's video.

For the past 16 years the Carnegie Library has hosted a chess club run by Edward Ochagavia, a survivor of the Nazi siege of Stalingrad in 1942.

Edward Ochagavia has fought to save Carnegie Library from closing Credit: ITV London

Campaigners trying to save a council-run children's paddling pool at Ruskin Park in Herne Hill were also angered by the video.

The Friends of Ruskin Park said the £5,000 spent in the video matched their crowd-funding target to keep the pool open.

The Ruskin Park paddling pool could be kept afloat with £5,000, say campaigners Credit: ITV London

Lambeth Council defended the video saying it was important to communicate effectively.