COUNCILLORS have begun a fight to save Pendle's remaining railway line.

Pendle Council's executive has held an emergency debate on the future of the line to Colne, which could be axed in a government shake-up of rail services.

Waterside councillor Tony Greaves said: "This line was under real threat 30 years ago and it escaped. Then it went from double track to single track and then the loop went at Nelson, so the excursion trains went.

"Now we're going to have to fight for it again."

Transport Secretary Alistair Darling has launched a review of rural rail services and the Blackpool South to Colne service is among 56 under-used routes.

Unless more people travel to Brierfield, Nelson and Colne, the service could be terminated at Blackburn.

Barnoldswick councillor David Whipp said: "There is an air of stealthy cuts about this. If this line were to go, it would be terribly sad."

The executive has decided to lobby Mr Darling and Pendle MP Gordon Prentice on the issue.

Coun Greaves also said Pendle Council should become involved with a new scheme for a 'community rail partnership' for the East Lancashire line.

The project is being backed by Lancashire County Council and the East Lancashire Partnership and would boost support for the railway by involving schools and colleges, linking the line with community arts, by creating better transport links and linking the service in with regeneration.

Plans for a new bus and rail interchange in Nelson are already under way with a planning application from Lancashire County Council expected in the spring.

Coun Greaves said: "We need to get involved with this community rail partnership.

"The county council has not yet seen a role for the district councils but of the five stations under threat, Burnley Barracks, Burnley Central, Brierfield, Nelson and Colne, three are in Pendle.

"We ought to be a part of this. There is a very real threat that this railway is going to be closed.

"I have been exasperated by people who put their energies into reopening the Colne to Skipton line when the real threat was going to come to our own service."

There will be a public meeting to discuss the community rail partnership at the Municipal Hall , Colne, on November 30 at 2pm.