A BATTLE to save a £35,000 village football pitch from being relegated to wasteland has gone into extra time, after councillors agreed to give residents 12 months to raise £20,000 for changing facilities.

The row over the pitch in Carter Avenue, Hapton, began three years ago when developers behind a nearby housing estate fulfilled a planning condition to hand over £38,000 to fund a village recreation ground.

The pitch was originally on a slope and £35,000 of the £38,000 was spent on levelling the area, but Hapton FC, who play in the Burnley & District Saturday League, have been forced to play matches in Padiham because of a lack of facilities in the pavilion at the ground.

Player and former manager Darren Brown, said new amateur league regulations dictate teams have to have their own shower and changing facilities.

Burnley Borough Council have now threatened to close the pavilion, but granted a 12 month reprieve following protests from residents, who said the facility was central to village life.

The pavilion also serves the bowling green, which Burnley Borough Council has threatened to close.

The village's Environmental Group has now announced plans to raise up to £50,000 to install shower and changing facilities, bowlers' facilities, a small meeting room and an area to sell refreshments.

Plans have been drawn up by local architect Jack Walsh and were unveiled at a meeting on Monday night.

They also want to bring back villagers who now bowl at Padiham, as the Hapton green is not staffed for anyone wanting to hire equipment.

And a junior bowling club has just been started up by Parish Councillor John Pinder, which will be launched next month and a group of residents is setting up a junior football club.

Environmental Group secretary/treasurer Jo Garrigan, hopes grants can pay for the majority of the renovation work, some of which may be carried out by villagers themselves.

She said at the moment the only people playing on the football pitch were young children.

"I don't care what obstacles anyone puts in our way," she said. "We've got to see this through. A £35,000 pitch was not put there for children to have a kick about."

Anyone who can contribute to the scheme, work voluntarily at the bowling green or help in any way should contact Jo Garrigan on 07811 701310.