BAXENDEN folk fear a lottery bid to improve local facilities will fail in the wake of Accrington New Era Centre's recent windfall. A forum, set up to represent the people of Baxenden in their bid to build a community centre, submitted a bid for lottery money in October but are doubtful of its success.

Forum secretary Jean Williams said: "Although we would congratulate the people behind the New Era Centre, it is a disappointing blow for us because, yet again, a project in the centre of town is receiving the cash.

"Baxenden receives very little community support and Hyndburn Council have told us that they don't have any money to give us."

She added: "We are absolutely swamped by housing, which was built without taking local facilities into consideration. As a result, Baxenden has become one big housing estate.

"We are an urban village, and should therefore be self-sufficient. People shouldn't have to travel into Accrington to find entertainment and services."

Last month the New Era Centre received £1.3 million from the Millennium Commission to transform it into a multi-purpose venue. Baxenden Community Forum need just £270,000 over a three-year period to build a centre on land off Manchester Road.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.