TORY councillors have been slammed for rejecting a proposal to keep Bacup Leisure Hall open for another 12 months.

The ruling group voted against keeping Bacup’s major leisure facility open until March 2011 despite pleas from Lib Dems, Labour and Independent councillors.

Despite the decision, the leader of the council Tony Swain announced that the authority would serve local residents with leisure services, but members of the three opposition groups accused the council of falling short on the promise.

Coun Alan Neal, who backed keeping the hall open, said: “To think not one local Tory councillor in Bacup would not support the people is absolutely scandalous.

“And the fact of the matter is that once again the good people of Bacup are right to be very concerned that once again the local councillors have let them down.

Bacup Tory Coun Jimmy Eaton said he would ‘continue to work and fight for all the people in Bacup’ but did not vote for the extension because he declared a political interest in the item.

Coun Jason Gledhill said: “The hall will be open until the summer and then we will look for a viable option for the facility.”