FOUR of the five Rossendale leisure facilities facing the axe are set to be closed by the beginning of next year, it has been revealed.

Rossendale Museum, Rawtenstall, is the only facility to have some sort of future. The town's council are preparing a report on a partnership arrangement with Lancashire County Council to run the museum, meaning the funding and management would be transferred to Lancashire County Museums Service.

The four closures will save the council £402,780 after an audit commission review demanded money was saved.

It has been recommended by council officials that the A B and D Centre, Bacup closes on New Year's Eve, after organisations which use the centre have agreed to pay £4,103 to continue operating until the closing date.

The Astoria, Rawtenstall, is to close on New Year's Day because booking during this time will pay for the running costs, with a private company expressing interest in using the building. The Astoria is affected by proposals for the redevelopment of Rawtenstall town centre.

Haslingden Public Hall officially closed on Tuesday but will open for agreed bookings until December 11.

Whitworth Pool is currently closed and discussions are taking place user groups about using Marl Pits Pool, serious considerations are being given to demolish the building.

Jack Trippier who is temporarily running the museum said: "Everything is up in the air at the moment.

"I have been talking to councillors and have been told that everybody at the Museum apart from Sandra Cruise who runs the place is to be made redundant but that hasn't been confirmed or denied as yet.

"There isn't any communication between the departments so we are always the last to know everything. Sandra only found out about the closures after the Lancashire Evening Telegraph contacted her for her views."

The closing dates are set to be finalised at Rossendale Corporate Policy Committee meeting next Tuesday.