Stoke-on-Trent City Council has confirmed it will find a new home for an iconic lantern which used to hang in the atrium of the old library in Hanley.

The lantern took centre stage when users of the former library, which closed on Saturday, first entered the building, and for many years provided a focal point for visitors.

It was the first thing people would see when they went to borrow books, and provides a stylish nod of the Potteries' heritage – with all four sides depicting North Staffordshire's iconic bottle ovens.

The Bethesda Street library closed on Saturday, ahead of a relocation to Two Smithfield (LDRS).

Council bosses confirmed the art deco style lantern won't be a feature of the new modern library facility at Two Smithfield when it opens in September.

Instead, the beautifully-designed artwork will be transferred to Tunstall where it will soon be seen in the corridor linking the town hall and indoor market.

Council leader, Cllr Jane Ashworth said: "We are committed to retaining this feature and can confirm that, as part of the ongoing works at City Central Library, it will be relocated to Tunstall Town Hall and Market where it will light the corridor between the two buildings."

Over the weekend, social media users had raised concerned that the lantern could be lost forever during the library's move.

The artwork will be transferred to Tunstall where it will be placed between the town hall and indoor market (LDRS).

Jason Lancaster asked: "What's going to happen to some of the brilliant interior fitting like this, celebrating our city's fantastic history?"

It prompted others to speak out over the issue, after an increasing awareness of much-loved artworks and sculptures in the city either going missing or being damaged.

Paul Dadge said: "I imagine like anything else that goes into storage (statues etc), it'll just disappear."

Meanwhile, Paul Phillips felt it should return to the building when it is repurposed for residential uses.

He said: "If, as has been proposed, it is developed into flats, it should be replaced in this location after the developers have finished."

Builders are still completing the new library, set to open in September (LDRS).

Steve Jones thought he'd found the perfect place for it, however. He said: "This lamp shade would be perfect in the reception of a Stoke-on-Trent hotel."

The new city centre library will open in September, with books currently stashed away in boxes ready to be moved.

Builders are still completing the new library, with tins of paints and scaffolding visible through the windows at the new site.

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