THE MAYOR of Whitworth was in London today to discuss ways of raising funds to re-build the town's burnt down civic hall.

An emergency meeting, organised by Whitworth Recreational Leisure Trust Ltd was held last night between councillors, community groups and Rossendale Council but an action plan for the future of Whitworth Civic Hall was put on hold until after the fire investigation.

Saturday's blaze was the result of an electrical fault - which has sparked fears that the cost of rebuilding the community facility could now reach £500,000.

Mayor of Whitworth Coun Alan Neal has pledged all money raised throughout his mayoralty will be put towards a fund for the civic hall.

Events due to be held at the civic hall are being rearranged to take place at local church halls.

Coun Neal is holding a meeting with the headteacher of Whitworth High School to hopefully negotiate being able to use the school hall as another function venue.

The blaze ripped through the two-storey building following a Stars In Your Eyes performance on Friday that saw around 250 people packed into the Market Street hall.

Coun Neal said: "This meeting in central London with the Local Government Association and government ministers will hopefully see some funding pushed our way to help redevelop the hall.

"Rossendale Council own the building so it was insured but because it was only a timber framed building we are probably only looking to get around £100,000 - which will not pay for another one to be built."

"I have said that any funds I raise from now on will be going in a charity account that is inspected by the Inland Revenue."