DARWEN Heritage and Craft Centre is set to close next week -- unless a volunteer comes forward to keep it open.

The centre, which is based in council-owned listing buildings in Bolton Road, has staged numerous exhibitions by local artists. Its aim is to promote Darwen's heritage and attract people into the town. The centre has been a popular port of call for Darweners -- particularly older people with memories to relate.

The independent organisation has received two sets of funding since opening in October 2000 -- £7,000 from the European Social Fund and £7,000 from a Blackburn with Darwen Council-run project Pathways to Progress. It has been run by various volunteers, including Susan Coughlin, 47, and Janice Williams, 42, both of Tudor Close. Susan said: "We have been based in the centre of the community and have had an open door policy and over the past two years the centre has been a great success.

"Our aim was to make people aware of just how beautiful Darwen is, to reclaim our heritage and to protect and preserve what is already here."

Susan said by promoting Darwen as an attraction, tourists had come in and local trade had been boosted.

She added: "The centre might be closing, but they can't close us. We will continue to be the crafts people of Darwen, but it is sad.

"But for personal reasons I feel I cannot carry on with the centre. It is a big responsibility -- but funding is out there." Susan added they had had a lot of support, especially from their senior members, who had been given the chance to display their work at the centre.

She said: "It is always hard letting go of something, but I have to move on. But it would be good if someone out there feels they can come forward and carry it on. It would be great if we could get a knight in shining armour to pay the rent."

Coun Dave Smith, of Sunnyhurst Ward, said: "The centre has done a really good job and has got a lot of people interested in crafts, art and heritage. It would be excellent if someone else decided to take it on."

A council spokeswoman said if the building did become vacant it would become available to rent and they may consider letting to a non-profit making organisation.

The centre is set to close on Wednesday and if anyone is interested in taking it over, they should call Susan at the centre on 01254 706422.