Fans of renowned Welsh horror author Arthur Machen have urged local officials to protect a treasure trove of his belongings amid plans to close the library where the collection is kept.

Books and papers used by The Great God Pan writer have been kept at the central library in the Welsh town of Newport, Wales for many years, and locals fears the collection could be split up or sold off if councillors go ahead with plans to shut the facility.

Ray Russell, chairman of The Friends of Arthur MAChen literary society, says, "Newport holds the finest public MAChen collection in the U.K. We'd like them to preserve it, develop it, and keep access to it open. Arthur MAChen was a local son of Gwent who won worldwide literary fame, and it is hoped that Newport will continue to honour his work."

A spokesman for the local council tells the Bbc, "If the proposal to close the central library building did go ahead then the council would consider where the best possible place to relocate the reference library would be."

MAChen, who died in 1947, boasts a legion of fans including fellow horror writer Stephen King, who has hailed him as an inspiration.
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