THREE leisure facilities earmarked for the axe could be saved after more than 400 protesters lobbied councillors during an emotionally charged meeting last night.

Rossendale Council, branded the worst in the country following an inspection by the Audit Commission, has faced fierce opposition .

Their plan is to shut Rawtenstall's Astoria Ballroom alongside Whitaker Park Museum, Whitworth Baths, Haslingden Public Hall and Bacup's AB and D Centre by October.

But councillors reassured hundreds of campaigners they were doing everything in their power to save the facilities.

The meeting, held at the Astoria, was monitored by police.

During a reconvened meeting at the town hall, councillors said the AB and D Centre and Whitaker Park Museum now faced positive futures after consultations with users and other organisations.

They also revealed the Astoria would stay open until Christmas, after a number of people showed interest in taking on a lease to keep the dance hall running.

Councillors have also earmarked the facility under the town centres re-development scheme.

The AB and D Centre will also stay open untill Christmas after users raised enough funding to keep it open. It is hoped their funding will continue.

Officials from Rossendale Museum in Whittaker Park have held talks with the council and county council to try to find a joint running scheme.

They are considering concentrating more on local school groups and the possibility of just opening for six months of the year. Councillors have promised they will also undertake consultations with officials from Whitworth Baths and Haslingden Public Hall to try and find a sustainable solution to the closures, providing it does not cost the council any money.

Groups using the facilities turned up in force to voice their opinions.

Young swimmers at Whitworth Baths who are part of the 250-member swimming club had the loudest voice of all with children chanting slogans in chorus at councillors.

Banners with the message Save Our Pool were also waved. Leader of Rossendale Council Graham Pearson summed up the current outlook.

He said: "Some requests have been received to run the Astoria. They have gone to the chief executive. It is also being included in the town centre redevelopment scheme.

"Haslingden Public Hall building is dilapidated building. We will consult with users on any ideas on how to keep it open.

"I have had many letters of correspondence since August 22 regarding the museum. We are looking at possibilities with the county council to possibly open for six months instead of six, from Easter to October to reduce our costs. We will work with the county council to raise more suggestions for improvements.

"The AB and D Centre will stay open at least until Christmas and possibly after that because of funding possibilities.

"We can look at other possible options providing they are at no cost to us."

He said vulnerable people were at the top of his list: "We need to get the benefits system in order. At the moment people are facing eviction because the benefits system is in chaos."

The closures were set out in a bid to save £400,000 after an audit commission review demanded money was saved.