As a slight antidote to all the cuts, film and music lovers will be pleased to hear that DVD and CD hire in libraries will be free as of next week.

Tower Hamlets Council has taken the decision to scrap hire charges in all its libraries and ideas stores from Monday (May 16).

With many libraries across the country facing closure, town hall chiefs have taken the decision to encourage the thriving arts and music scene in the borough by providing easier access to its record and movie collections.

The council recently released its ‘Core Collection of Music’ made up of the most influential albums of the last 50 years, including ones from The Beatles, Jimi Hendrix and Amy Winehouse at all its ideas stores and libraries.

The late return charges of 20p a day for CDs and �1 a day for DVDs will remain.

Meanwhile, Lifelong Learning courses will not go up in price and those costing �200 or more can now be paid in two instalments for anyone struggling.

A new Ideas Store, jointly funded by the Big Lottery Fund and council, is being earmarked for Watney Market in Commercial Road.

It is due to open in spring next year.