THREE stretches of under-used railway lines in East Lancashire could soon need local councils, passengers and communities to pay for them.

They are among 56 facing closure unless more is done to increase customer numbers.

The stretches under threat include the Ribble Valley line between Hellifield - where it meets the Settle to Carlisle line - and Daisyfield, Blackburn.

The Blackburn to Bolton route that runs through Darwen is also on the list, along with a section between Colne and Gannow.

If they were to close, the Clitheroe to Manchester service would cease to exist, while the Blackpool South to Colne service would have to terminate in Blackburn.

The news comes as Transport Secretary Alistair Darling launched a review of rural rail services as part of the Community Rail Development Strategy. Under it, the Government will seek more financial and volunteer support to increase passenger numbers on the endangered lines while reducing costs.

Initially, just seven lines will take part in a pilot project to fine tune how the new system will work. None are in the North West.

There have already been one or two examples where local residents advertise the service and man shops and cafeterias that have seen a sufficient rise in trade to save services.

The Ribble Valley Rail Group fought to get the line re-opened for passengers and has played a large part in helping promote it and spruce up stations. This year the group celebrated its 10th anniversary.

And under the new plans, even more power could fall to "friends of stations" groups or other bodies that choose to run them.

Mr Darling said the strategy was about supporting local lines. He said: "With a bit of imagination we can increase revenue, we can reduce costs, we can increase the involvement of councils and perhaps we can get more people on them.

"There does come a point, where, if a line is not working, it is not carrying people and its costs are not coming down, then of course you have got to look at that. We can't be in the business of carting fresh air around the country."

The 56 lines will be designated Community Rail Lines and get support from the Department of Transport and the Strategic Rail Authority to kickstart local involvement.

And Lancashire County Council today said it would back the strategy and play its part.

Richard Watts, the county's rail officer, said: "Community rail is already a significant feature of Lancashire's rail network.

"Community rail partnerships are already in existence on four lines in Lancashire, such as Blackburn to Clitheroe, and plans to extend the number are already being considered.

"We see this as an important development of the local rail network and a recognition of its importance.

"We will work with all agencies to ensure its success."

John Mooney, regional director, Rail Passengers Committee North West, added: "Anything at all which involves the local community taking part in the transport decision-making has to be welcomed."