THE future of a community centre has been secure thanks to battling campaigners.

Supporters of Stoops and Hargher Clough Community Centre have secured funding in principle from the Tudor Trust, which would keep them afloat for at least three years.

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The Venice Street venue has been earmarked for closure under the £262million cuts programme being undertaken by Lancashire County Council.

But the announcement means that the Stoops site can continue to flourish, with the trust’s assistance, until at least 2019.

Centre worker Chris Keene said campaigners were still push for the community hub to be retained as a county council venue, ahead of an early September decision from County Hall.

But the new money would ensure the centre’s future if the county withdraw support.

Mr Keene said: “The Tudor Trust has offered us transitional support over the next three years until we could become self-sufficient.

“Last December we put in an expression of interest for the community centre building and we will continue to fight for it be moved to the ‘retained’ list.

“We are preparing for the possibility that this money might not be needed, but if it is not retained then we can continue for another three years.”

Cllr Howard Baker, a Trinity ward councillor, said: “This is excellent news. It is a really well-used centre and Chris Keene has put a lot of hard work into getting the place into the position it is today.

“It isn’t getting any better as far as these government cuts are concerned but at least this will provide some assistance over the next three years.”

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.

The Happy Faces Nursery also provides childcare for the neighbourhood three times a week there.

A Stoops and Hargher Clough centre spokesman said: “We’re pleased to announce that the Tudor Trust has offered to provide the funding support we need to help secure the future of the centre.

“We’re working with them and Lancashire County Council to sort out a few details and are confident our key services will be able to continue without interruption.

“We’d like to thank everyone for their help and support, which has enabled us to achieve a positive outcome.”

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.

Last month another frequent centre user, Claret and Brew, a men’s mental health support service, which meets at the venue three times a week, also received extra NHS funding.

Support worker Christian Jaques said: “Our funding bid merely provides a little finance to the centre for our using the building. Every little helps to retain the stability of the centre.”

The Tudor Trust, an independent grant-making organisation which is based in London, was unavailable for comment last night but the funding offer has been confirmed.

One of the main areas in Burnley and Pendle supported by the trust over the past 12 months has been the Open Door Centre in Colne. And last year the trust also gave £10,000 for a volunteers scheme at the Fraser Street Project.