FRESH doubts have been cast over the funding of Sudellside Community Centre, in Darwen.

A management committee made up of volunteers hopes to take over running the centre from the borough council in April.

At a town council meeting attended by borough leader Kate Hollern, Joan Helliwell, secretary of the group, said: “We were told that we would get 100 per cent of the running costs in the first year.

“But we have been unable to get a figure of what the running costs are, and because of that, we can’t budget.”

Coun Hollern said: “You will get support, but it might not be 100 per cent. At the moment, we’re struggling to give guarantees on anything.

“But we will not walk away from community centres, there will be a gradual reduction in support.”

The committee hopes to reduce the cost of running the facility by using more competitive providers of energy and insurance.

The centre is used for a range of community classes, such as martial arts and after-school clubs.