CAMPAIGNERS to save an Accrington pub have said ‘positive’ steps have been taken to secure its future.

A public meeting was held at The Castle Pub in Whalley Road last week to discuss becoming an asset of community value.

If the venue gained the status it would allow it to remain as a pub.

Staff and regulars have spent the last week collecting pictures and information to show why it is valuable to the community.

Landlord Jonathan White is hopeful the evidence can be compiled by the end of the week to send off to the council to apply for the status.

He said: “We had a very, very positive meeting, it was great to see so many people come along, I didn’t expect there to be so much support.

“We’ve had sports teams, away fans, pub regulars, so many people put forward information as to why we are valuable to the community.

“Hopefully we should have everything sorted soon, this could be a big boost in securing the pubs future.”

The pub was shut for around two weeks at the start of the year, before an online petition was set up to get it to reopen.

The doors were opened again at the start of February.