GROUPS using a closure-threatened public hall in Haslingden want to set up a trust to pay for its running costs.

The organisations are hoping to forge a trust similar to Whitworth's CLAW which was formed to take over the running of the town's civic hall.

Groups using Haslingden Public Hall were forced to take action after the council announced two years ago that it was to axe five of its leisure facilities as part of a cost cutting exercise.

It was earmarked for closure in 2002 and Rossendale Council announced plans to sell off the hall in March this year.

Councillors then stepped in to help prevent Sharples Amateur Boxing Club from becoming homeless when the authority announced its proposal.

The club has been training at Haslingden Public Hall for more than 30 years -- helping to keep youngsters off the streets.

David Hancock, Rossendale Council Leader, then agreed to put the sale on hold to hear the groups' plans.

A meeting was held earlier this week with the groups and councillor Hancock who has arranged for Owen Williams, the boroughs chief executive, to meet with the organisations.

Alan Schofield, Greenfield ward councillor, said: "We have a group here of 40 youngsters who come together every week to get involved with a sport they obviously all enjoy.

"If this group falls to the wayside then instead of coming together in this way they will be turfed out onto the streets."

John McManus, chair of Community Action in Rossendale and Haslingden Community Network, is helping the groups put together a future action plan.

He said: "If we lose this site the Credit Union won't have a home and the boxing club will become homeless. We could also look at moving the Neighbourhood Office into the public hall because their building has structural problems.

"The trust we hope to set up will apply for money to refurbish the building and to create disabled access to the second floor.

"We are hoping that the meeting with the chief executive will prove that we will be able to run and sustain the hall's viability.

The meeting is expected to take place on June 2 at Rawtenstall Town Hall.