THE future of Pendle's most popular tourist attraction could be secured through negotiations over the next few months.

Heritage Trust for the North West (HTNW) director John Miller and Pendle Council leader Alan Davies have pledged to seek a solution to the funding crisis for the Pendle Heritage Centre caused by this year's budget.

The budget, which is expected to be approved on Monday, slashes council funding for the centre to just £10,000, compared to £62,000-a-year when the centre was established three years ago.

HTNW director Ted Stanworth wrote to the council's executive last week stating that the cut in funding could jeopardise the long-term future of the trust's involvement with the Pendle Heritage Centre as the charity could not use money from other projects to support it's work there.

The centre buildings, at Park Hill, are council-owned, but were renovated by the HTNW, which runs the tourist information service at the site and attracts 100,000 visitors a year.

One possibility to resolve the funding crisis would be for the council to pay the HTNW for the tourist information service through a formal agreement.

Trust director John Miller said: "I understand the council is going to look at the funding and all aspects of the service the centre gives to the borough during the next financial year to ensure it is secured.

"We are confident everyone will arrive at a sensible solution."

Coun Davies said: "Because of the shortfall in the settlement from the Government there's nothing we can do for the current year but the intention is to spend a few months talking about a service level agreement.

"The tourist information service used to be run by the council and cost £28,000 a year when it was transferred, which would be more now."