MILLIONS of pounds borrowed to build a new swimming pool in Haslingden will instead be spent on improving the Valley Centre, according to council bosses.

Rossendale Council leader Alyson Barnes said that after serious consideration, Rossendale’s main priority is the dilapidated shopping centre, off Bank Street, in Rawtenstall.

She said: “I just think what is the point in fitting a new bathroom when the roofing is leaking in terribly?

“No matter which way we think about it, when we identify the priorities of the borough the Valley Centre always ends up at the top of the list. There is still a lot of work to be done.

“But we are hoping to make the decision about this at the next cabinet meeting and then taking it to full council.

“More information about why we are making this decision will be released in the coming weeks.”

Campaigners are furious that £3.2million borrowed for leisure in Rossendale will no longer be spent on a new pool.

Ray Sutcliffe, of Rydal Avenue, Haslingden, has collected a 1000-signature petition calling for the pool to be saved.

He saysit will be presented at the next cabinet meeting.

The existing pool, in East Bank Avenue, dates back to the 1930s and is in urgent need of over-hauling.

Originally, the proposal had been to build a pool extension along with an upgrade for Rawtenstall’s Marl Pits complex.

But these proposals are now just a rubber stamp away from being scrapped, so that the Valley Centre can be tackled.