TEARS were shed and fiery words spoken as the people of Bacup fought to keep the Aged, Blind and Disabled Centre which is threatened with closure.

More than 80 people who use centre gathered in the building yesterday afternoon with placards and posters saying "Save Our Centre" to discuss the decision.

A second meeting has been arranged with the council to discuss plans to shut the building.

The centre is one of five leisure facilities in Rossendale earmarked for closure as part of budget cuts of almost £400,000.

The meeting was attended by the Mayor of Rossendale, Councillor James Eaton, and other councillors.

Irene Noble, secretary of the Friday Club, which is a social club at the centre, said around 87 people met and many fiery heated words were spoken.

She said: "The outcome of the meeting is that another meeting has been arranged for next Thursday at 3.30pm when a representative from each user group at the A, B and D centre will meet with the council. We will just have to take it from there.

"We just don't know what is going on. We have put notices up in the centre windows saying Save Our Centre and we were really pleased with the number of people who came out for the meeting.

"There was quite a big discussion but nothing was resolved. The possibility of extending the closure dates, people making donations or increasing rents were all discussed. People also mentioned handing the building over to the people who use it but that would have to be something to be discussed.

"If the council had discussed it with the users of the facilities beforehand then it would have saved all this hassle."

The meeting lasted an hour and a half and ended with regular entertainer Susan Grindrod giving her rendition of Looking For A Silver Lining.

Jean Coley, secretary of the Inskip League of Friendship for disabled people, said: "We didn't really reach any decision and I am still no wiser from going to the meeting. I hope with all my heart that we can save it but I have an awful feeling we won't be able to."

The centre is used by many groups including the Ladies' Guild, Inskip, the Friday Club, the local blind association and cancer society, St John's Parochial Church Council and Christ Church.