A judicial review of Somerset County Council’s decision to withdraw funding from libraries has cost £70,000.

It planned to make savings of £1.35 million by reducing opening hours and ending funding for 11 small libraries. Last year a judicial review found the decision unlawful.

The council’s legal costs were £24,573 for internal solicitors’ fees, £44,034 for external counsel and other costs of more than £2,500. It also faces the bill for the other side.