GROUPS in Rossendale are hoping to put together a rescue plan to keep Haslingden Public Hall as a community amenity following proposals to sell it off.

And Community Action in Rossendale, a charity which supports voluntary organisations, has vowed to help users in their efforts to save the public hall.

Its future looked under threat when Rossendale Council closed the venue earlier this year as part of £400,000 budget cuts. The public hall was among a number of leisure facilities axed by the authority after it was named the worst council in the country following an Audit Commission report two years ago.

But Sharples Amateur Boxing Club, Haslingden Credit Union, Haslingden Estate Management Board, the Citizens Advice Bureau, Lancashire County Council youth workers, and Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society, have joined forces to set up a new community organisation to help run the public hall.

Jack Taylor, president of Sharples Amateur Boxing Club, said the club may be forced to close if it is not allowed to continue using the premises -- leaving more than 40 youngsters without anywhere to train. The club has been training at Haslingden Public Hall for more than 30 years, helping to keep youngsters off the streets.

Rossendale Council has now agreed to look at alternatives, and is awaiting the report compiled by the user groups.

John McManus, chairman of Community Action in Rossendale, said: "We have said we are willing to assist a partnership of groups to form a viable management committee, raise funds, and put a proposal to the council.

"It wasn't used effectively before but, hopefully, they will come up with something viable to help keep it open for the groups to use."

Penny Hood, secretary of Rossendale Amateur Operatic Society, which has been using the hall for 50 years, said: "We are now rehearsing at the Manchester Road Methodist Church and performing at the Royal Court Theatre, in Bacup, which is lovely, but it's not in our home town."

Rossendale Council leader David Hancock said: "We have received a letter and are awaiting a report back from the groups.

"The report should detail any action plan they are proposing to put forward, and any financial backing they have, before we make any recommendations."