Kingsteignton residents who think Devon County Council has a bare-faced cheek to threaten their library with closure have responded in the only way they know how. Chanting the mantra, Don't Strip Us Of Our Library, the campaigners slipped between the book covers, divested themselves of daily garb and revealed the naked truth: they love their library. The headline-grabbing stunt was developed from an idea suggested by the author Norman Lewis. 'He thought we could produce a calendar, but we decided that would take too long,' said parish clerk Carolyn Moist, Kingsteignton's own naked civil servant. 'Then council chairman Cllr Jill Morris said why not produce an eye-catching poster and the next thing we knew we were in the library getting some very strange looks.' One of those brave enough to drop everything but her standards was Cllr Joan Lambert. 'There were quite a few members of the public present and the librarians were carefully positioning towels to preserve our modesty,' she said. 'No one was offended, I'm pleased to say, and we all had a good laugh, albeit one that carries with it a serious message. 'When we say don't strip us of our library, we mean it. 'What we need now is for the people of the village to join the library if they haven't already and this month really push up the lending figures. 'It's quite clear. We either use it or lose it.' Cllr Lambert wouldn't divulge the exact level of nakedness behind the bookshelves and said it should be left to readers' imagination. She and her fellow campaigners will have to wait until the autumn for the county council to reveal the denouement in the library 'improvement' story.