A 'CRUCIAL' part of the process to transfer ownership of a community centre to campaigners is set to take place.

Burnley Council is to consider the transfer of land adjoining to Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre as part of the change in the site's ownership.

The Venice Street venue was previously run by Lancashire County Council but is in the process of being transferred to West End (Burnley) Community Interest Company.

The building had been earmarked for closure under the £262million cuts programme for the county council before being saved by battling campaigners.

Volunteer Chris Keene said Burnley Council would be looking to transfer land joined on to the community centre which is used for its forest school.

Mr Keene said: "The transfer of the land is a key part of the overall asset transfer which we have been working very hard with the county council and Burnley Council to achieve.

"It's a crucial part of the process which is taking place and it's great that's its happening now.

"Once the transfer takes place we'll be able to go full steam ahead with the project."

Mr Keene also said there was an ongoing target for the full asset transfer to be complete by the end of the month as the county council work on the transfer of the building.

Cubs, Beavers and Scouts meet at the centre, alongside a youth club twice a week, and a children’s disco regularly attracts more than 100 youngsters on Friday evenings.

In July last year supporters of the community centre secured funding in principle from the Tudor Trust, which will keep them afloat for at least three years.

Cllr Marcus Johnstone, a Trinity ward councillor, said: "It's run by Chris Keene who is doing an absolutely great job at the place.

"The bid was definitely one of the best for the site and it's going to have a very secure future."

County Councillor for Burnley Central West Tony Martin said: "I'm very supportive of it and I'm very pleased that they managed to get in the position to transfer it over.

"They've got an excellent man leading it in Chris Keene who is getting others involved with the project."

The Stoops estate is acknowledged as one of the most challenging in East Lancashire and was once ranked the 15th most deprived in the UK.

The decision on the lease of the adjoining land at the centre will be made at the Burnley Council Executive meeting on Tuesday, April 25.