A CAMPAIGN to save Lancashire’s mill museums from closure due to council cuts has been backed by more than 3,000 people.

Lancashire County Council has announced plans to close Queen Street Mill in Burnley and Helmshore Mill in Rossendale in April next year as part of a raft of cost- cutting measures.

MORE TOP STORIES:

A petition has been started to call on council leader Cllr Jennifer Mein to reverse the plan and campaigners are hoping to reach a target of 5,000 backers.

The petition has been supported by TV and film actor Richard Armitage who has shared the link on social networking site Twitter.

Accrington resident Helen Sutherland, who commented on the petition, said: “I was brought up in Helmshore. Those mills are our history and should be saved to let future generations see and understand its history.”

Diane Halstead from Briercliffe said: “I only moved to Lancashire a year ago and I love the fact local history is celebrated in every village.

“I can’t bear to lose these museums, everyone must fight to keep them open.”

Colne resident Sally Fort said: “Queen Street Mill is the last original steam-powered weaving mill in the world.

“We should be looking for world heritage status and maximising their potential, not turning our backs on them.”

The proposed closures are part of the council’s budget cuts of £65m over the next two years and £262m by April 2020.

The campaign comes after a petition to save the Whitehough Outdoor Education Centre in Barley from closure was also launched.