A LAST-ditch bid has been launched to save Haslingden Pool by a group of residents who want to take it over from the council.

The Friends of Haslingden Baths, a community group look- ing to take control of the East Bank Avenue centre, are encouraging residents to show how great the need is for the facility by signing a support petition. More than 8,000 people signed a petition in 2011 calling on Rossendale Council to go ahead with a proposed revamp. But the campaigners fear this will be deemed out-of-date by the council which plans to sell off the building unless an interested party with a viable business model is found before September.

The pool has ‘concrete cancer’ and needs repairs which would cost around £1.5million, an amount Rossendale Council says it cannot afford.

Two businesses and the Friends organisation registered their interest and met with council officials. However, the two firms dropped out, leaving just the residents as the only interested party.

Council bosses have pledged £200,000 to assist a future baths partner.

Friends chairman Sue Ives said: “We don’t feel we’ve had enough support from the council and are worried that they will close it come September.

“We need to keep the pool open for Haslingden and Helmshore and we need people to show how many feel that way.

“Even though more than 8,000 people signed the last petition for the cause, we think they might disregard it by saying it is no longer representative.We’ve got to try to persuade the council to commit to supporting us. We think we can take it over successfully or we wouldn’t be applying to take it on.”

But Coun Gladys Sandiford, who covers Haslingden ward, said: “We need to keep the baths open. Children learn to swim there and older people use it for fitness.

“But if businesses have backed out and Rossendale Leisure Trust can’t take it on, then it’s an incredibly big ask for a community group.

“Right from when this council took over, they said there will always be a pool in Haslingden, but now they have said if they can’t get a preferred partner, they will close it.”

A petition can be signed at the pool. To get involved with the Friends of Haslingden Baths, email friendsofhassybaths@ gmail.com.