THE trustees of a picturesque East Lancashire village community hub have launched a campaign to raise £75,000 to make its dangerous narrow driveway safe.

The entrance to Salesbury Memorial Hall is currently single track and a hazard for both vehicles and pedestrians.

Now its trustees want to buy the land in front of it and construct a two-lane driveway.

The charity has gained planning permission for the move from Ribble Valley Council and approval from Lancashire County Council highways department for the scheme.

The trustees have now launched a fundraising campaign - known as SAFE 'Safer Access For Everyone' - for the £75,000 needed for the upgrade backed by local MP Nigel Evans, council leader Cllr Stephen Atkinson and borough Mayor Cllr Stuart Hirst.

The 95-year-old hall was built from funds raised in memory of the 36 members of the parish who lost their lives in the Great War of 1914 to 1918. Their names are commemorated on the Roll of Honour in the entrance hall Its ground hosts Wilpshire Wanderers Football Club matches and it is situated at the heart of the villages of Salesbury, Wilpshire and Clayton-le-Dale.

Chair of trustees Annette Patterson said: "The hall is exceptionally well used."

Trustee Steve Frost said: "We have a mixture of vehicles and pedestrians entering and leaving the facility. Because of the single track road that is extremely hazardous.

"A particular part of that hazard is vehicles entering and leaving the driveway onto Ribchester Road. The visibility is extremely limited.

"Our proposed solution is to purchase the area of land in front of the Memorial Hall and implement a scheme whereby we can provide safe access for vehicles and pedestrians.

"It will be a two lane drive way coming up to the front of the Memorial Hall off Ribchester Road with a raised pedestrian walkway on either side."

Fellow trustee Cllr Hirst said: "In a sense the hall is a victim of its own success in that the access problems we are having have severely restricted our ability to serve our community.

"We are however confident that if we are successful we will be able to enhance what is already an extremely vibrant local asset and extend its service more widely."

The recently-refurbished building has a large main hall and a fully-equipped, modern kitchen. Upstairs there is a large conference/meeting room and a smaller, adjoining room which can be used separately or for refreshments.