A GROUP set up to secure the long-term future of a civic hall has been backed by the council which previously recommended it should close.

At this week's meeting of the Friends of Ramsbottom Civic Hall, a 70 strong audience heard that Bury Council is in favour of the newly formed organisation and is also prepared to fund some of the work needed on the hall.

Council representative Neil Long told those gathered at the Market Place hall, that the council was committed to keeping the hall in use and maintaining its role as Ramsbottom's premier civic venue.

The threat to the hall last reared its head when Bury Council announced its budget cutbacks in February and recommended that it should close.

Linda de Ruijter, a Friends of Ramsbottom Civic Hall committee member, said Mr Long told the meeting the council welcomed the assistance of the the friends group and he gave ideas on how they could work for the benefit of the hall and its users.

And Mr Long revealed the council's plan to to sell the empty Adult Education building on Bolton Street Ramsbottom.

He said, subject to council approval, any money made from the sale could be used to carry out much needed structural work on the civic hall.

He also said that the council would be carrying out remedial work on the roof, the condition of which has been a source of concern for many years.

Linda said: "It was a very positive meeting.

"We felt very happy and quite buoyant now that the council is backing us.

"We have opened the lines of communication, it is an essential thing that we work together."

The Friends of Ramsbottom Civic Hall committee was set up at the meeting and thanks were given to Kim Griffiths, local area partnership manager, for her help in the preparation and chairing of the meeting.

The first meeting of the new committee takes place on Monday July 16 in the Civic Hall.

The council were unavailable for comment.

For more information contact Linda de Ruijter on 01706 827602