THE future of Ski Rossendale is hanging in the balance after desperate attempts to find private investment have failed.

The artificial ski slope which has been losing £100,000 a year is now under threat as the government announce cuts to Rossendale Council’s budget of £2.4million.

Councillor Jason Gledhill, portfolio holder for leisure, said: “We are having to make some very tough decisions and it is clear that among them we have to take a serious look at the future of Ski Rossendale.

“I know it is an iconic feature for the area and has helped put Rossendale on the map. But the reality is that our efforts over the last few years to try to attract the funds it needs to help it survive and prosper have come to nothing.

“Given our current funding concerns we have to be able to justify every penny we spend and in that context, when people are losing their jobs and other services and funds are being cut it is hard to make a special case for Ski Rossendale.”

Earlier this month the Lancashire Telegraph reported how plans to sell the ski centre had gone back to the drawing board after the submissions of two preferred bidders were found to be ‘unviable’.

Ski Rossendale has been badly hit by the opening of the skiing centre Chill Factor near Manchester.

A report looking at various options for the 40-year-old facility including its closure will go before the Cabinet in January.