NEIGHBOURS and sports fans have kicked off a campaign to save a popular leisure centre amid fears that it is to close.

Petitions are circulating for Shadsworth sports centre, Blackburn, and the Shadsworth residents' association has called a public meeting for Tuesday night.

Blackburn with Darwen Council is to cut £500,000 from its leisure budget over the next 12 months.

And although town hall bosses say no final decisions have been taken, rumours about the future of Shadsworth have continued to surface.

The Shadsworth Road centre is run by Lancashire County Council but will be handed over to the town hall when Blackburn goes unitary in April.

Retired bus driver Jim Thompson, 70, of Fecitt Brow, is helping to organise a petition.

He said: "We keep hearing that council is going to close the leisure centre and a lot of people in the area are very upset.

"The whole situation is scandalous. Shadsworth is the most popular leisure centre in the area.

"People come from all over to use the facilities." Jean France, from Wilpshire, a regular at the leisure centre, said: "All the staff are convinced the place is going to close and some of them are looking for new jobs already.

"They have heard that an announcement will be made over the next two or three weeks about the future of the place."

Shadsworth councillor Tony Humphrys said: "I was not aware of a petition but I would fight any plans to close the leisure centre tooth and nail.

"Leisure centres in the borough cost the council tax payers a lot of money and there is a major review taking place over the next 12 months because savings have to be made.

"But as as far as I am aware there are no plans to close Shadsworth. Whatever happens I will be there fighting Shadsworth's corner."

A spokesman for Blackburn with Darwen Council added: "A top team of councillors has been appointed to carry out a wide ranging review.

"Nothing has been decided yet but they will be looking at all aspects of the service before reporting back in six months time.

"All leisure centres in the borough are being looked at as part of that review."

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