COMMUNITY leaders have hit out at plans to close information centres.

County hall chiefs have slashed their budget and decided to close information centres in Clitheroe, Nelson, Preston and Carnforth.

Ribble Valley and Pendle leaders said the proposed cuts were 'deplorable' and urged County Hall to change its mind.

Lancashire County Council has approved further budget cuts of £7m as part of its attempt to save £442m by 2021.

If the proposal is accepted, transport users will not be able to buy tickets from either information centre.

Ribble Valley Council leader Cllr Ken Hind said: ''We have been led to understand that County Hall own the building but Ribble Valley Council contribute to staffing and interchange upkeep and cleaning costs.

"This at a time when rail passenger users are growing, infrastructure is being improved and shortly new rolling stock is to be introduced.

"The closure will be perceived very much as service reduction by the users of trains and rural bus services.

"On behalf of all concerned I urge all rail and bus users utilising the Clitheroe interchange to take part in the consultation to press the County Council to change its mind.''

Pendle Council leader Cllr Mohammed Iqbal said: "It's deplorable the way the county council are continuing to cut services used by the most vulnerable people in our community.

"I understand the government are making significant cuts to areas like Lancashire but it's not fair it hits the most vulnerable members in our society.

"Nelson continues to suffer major cuts from this Tory-led administration and it's not fair.

"I call on Geoff Driver to re-think the council's proposed decision."

County Cllr Keith Iddon, who is the cabinet member for highways and transport, said: "Information centres are a nice thing to have but are not mandatory.

"There are plenty of ways to buy tickets away from the information centre, whether that's on your smart phone or online.

"In an ideal world where we are affluent we would not need to think about closing these centres but it's not a luxury we afford to have."