THE Friends of Arthur Machen have written to Newport City Council expressing concern about the threatened closure of the library that houses the UK’s only collection of the Caerleon-born author’s work.

The society, whose members include comedian Stewart Lee, actor Barry Humphries and writer Alan Moore, hope to safeguard the Arthur Machen Collection in a permanent home in Newport.

The closure of the Central Library, reference library and Newport Museum and Art Gallery building in John Frost Square is being considered as part of Newport council’s budget cuts for 2015/16.

It is estimated that repairs of £2.5 million would be needed to bring the building up to standard.

A council spokeswoman insisted the proposals will not affect the contents and stock of the libraries and professional procedures will be followed to keep items secure.

Machen, who was born in 1863, is best known for his story The Bowmen, set in the First World War, which gave rise to the legend of the Angels of Mons and the horror story The Great God Pan.

The author later moved to London but often wrote about the Gwent countryside.

Godrey Brangham, of Usk, founding member of the Friends of Arthur Machen said: “This is the only collection in the UK, if this collection goes it’ll be a disaster.

“A lot of the books there are extremely rare. It’s been looked after down the years by the librarians.

"I understand the council have a problem with the building, my concern is I don’t want this collection or any of their collections to be destroyed or lost."

Machen friends from across the world have been responding to the council's consultation and writing to council leader Bob Bright.

A council spokeswoman said: “The proposals do not affect the contents and stock of the libraries, including books and collections of cultural significance and historic value.

" If this proposal did go ahead then the council would follow all of the correct professional processes when moving items and all collections would be secured and kept safe during transportation.

"The current central library building is not fit for purpose with work in the region of more than £2 million needed to bring it up to standard – money that the council does not have.

"The public is being asked to comment on these challenging proposals and has until 16 January to have their say."