A POPULAR community centre has been given a stay of execution after residents rallied together to try to save it.

Pendle Council had planned to shut Trawden Community Centre at the end of June as part of its cost-cutting.

Councillors were expected to approve the closure on Tuesday night, but Trawden resident Amanda Cunningham told them that the centre was well used by many groups in the village and was a much-needed facility.

On Monday night, groups of users and residents met in the Trawden Arms and decided to set up a management group to try to take over running the centre, with councillors agreeing to give them time to save the centre.

Coun Tony Greaves, who has discussed the future of the centre with parish councillors and residents, said he believed the centre could be very successful under local management in the village, and that there would be keen people willing to get involved.

“I was involved in the campaigns to get the community centre built many years ago,” he said. “I am determined to do what I can to help keep it open. I do believe it’s often the best way to run village halls and community centres such as this one.”

Conservative councillor James Starkie said that in his experience in the western parishes of Pendle, villages were better off running their own local facilities.

Councillors agreed that they, along with council officers, would provide all possible help and support for a local management group, with a view to transferring control of the centre this summer.

A report will go back to Pendle Council’s executive committee in June detailing progress.