COUNCIL chiefs in Rossendale today dismissed rumours that plans to build a new civic hall would be scrapped.

Owen Williams, the council's chief executive, reassured residents that the authority was committed to re-building the fire ravaged Whitworth Civic Hall, despite delays with the scheme.

Former Whitworth Mayor Councillor Alan Neal has accused council bosses of wanting to use the £1.4million insurance money, planned for the new hall, to build up reserves in the council coffers.

The claim has been denied by Mr Williams who also defended the length of time it was taking for the project to get off the ground.

He said: "The council is fully committed to the civic hall project through the motion passed at the full council meeting on February 16.

"We have authorised work to begin on the environmental study and work to prepare an outline planning permission for the site.

"We are all keen to see the civic hall rebuilt, but we must be able to demonstrate that we are achieving best value for the public money that is going to be spent on this project. We will proceed with this project as quickly as we can."

Earlier this year councillors reached an agreement that would finally see a one-stop shop re-built on the original Market Street site.

It was envisaged the new community centre would be open by April 2006.

But Coun Neal said: "It looks very unlikely now that the April date is going to be reached.

"Work should have started long before now. It's no wonder the people of Whitworth have little faith in elected members, and who can blame them?

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The building was gutted after an electrical fault caused a huge blaze in December 2003.

It was proposed that the new multi-purpose building would provide a function room, banqueting hall, theatre and would cater for civil weddings.