THERE was shock and disappointment among people in Rossendale as the news that five of their leisure buildings are to shut filtered through the borough.

Many people were aware that Rossendale Council -- dubbed the worst council of its kind in the country -- would have to make budget cuts to improve its finances.

But the announcement that the facilities, particularly Rossendale Museum and the AB and D Centre in Bacup, were to close came as a surprise.

It is expected that the closure of the leisure facilities, which also includes Whitworth Swimming Pool, Haslingden Public Hall and the Astoria Ballroom, will save £379,000 during 2003-2004 and an extra £157,000 if they close by October 1 this year.

Angela Fawcett and her two daughters Vanessa and Carrieann Nuttall, of Newchurch, did not agree with the decision by the council.

Vanessa, 14, said: "The baths at Whitworth are good. I'd prefer to see them stay open and the museum too. I have been in there a few times."

Mum Angela said: "I don't think these closures are a good idea. The kids go to the baths and we go to the museum as well. Where else can children go if they close these? We are not getting good value for money for our council tax."

Marie-Louise Evans, 81, of Rawtenstall, said: "I used to go dancing in the Astoria all the time up to being about 75. My dancing days are over but I would like it to stay open for the future for the young people. We are going to have nothing left if they keep closing things down. It used to be a popular place."

Ruth Sinclair, 43, of Barnes Avenue, Rawtenstall, said: "From what I've heard about these closures I think it's disgusting. I think they should try and keep some of them open if not all of them. The children use the pool and it is the wrong decision to close it."

Bill Harwood, 82, Andrew Avenue, Rawtenstall, said: "The trouble is when you say anything they just say there's no money.

"It's a shame about the museum shutting. If I see there's an exhibition on I go and have a look round, probably about once a month. The others I don't really use. I'd rather like to see less money going to some of these children's schemes because there doesn't seem to be much for elderly people. Now they are shutting these places where a reasonable amount of elderly people go."

Christine Ashcroft, from Whitworth Swimming Club, which has 250 members, 90 on the waiting list and 16 qualified swimming instructors, said she was very upset at the news of closure.

The club will hold an extraordinary general meeting in Whitworth Civic Hall next Thursday to discuss what to do next.

She said: "We have been expecting this news for some time so it has not come as a total shock but everyone is still devastated. We just don't know what we are going to do."

Margaret Magee, 66, of Rawtenstall, said it was time something was done with the Astoria but did not think it was good idea to shut the others. She said: "There's nothing in the park for children except a couple of swings. I think they should keep the museum and the pool open. I don't know what we pay our council tax for. We don't get any value for money.

"We've got all these empty buildings and the children have nowhere to go so we should be putting these buildings to good use."