CAMPAIGNERS are set to launch a fight to save Earby Youth Hostel, which is under threat of closure.

Civic leaders have launched a campaign to save Burnley, Pendle and Rossendale's only youth hostel, in Birch Hall Lane.

Pendle MP Gordon Prentice leading the fight to stop the facility from closing as part of a range of cutbacks proposed by the Youth Hostels Association.

The hostel is one of 32 across the country facing the axe.

The plans will be discussed by councillors next week when they will urge the YHA to reconsider its proposals because of the history of the hostel and the fact that it is the only hostel in the area.

Mr Prentice said: "I hope the YHA will re-think.

"The hostel has huge significance for those interested in Labour Movement history.

"It was once the home of Katharine Bruce Glasier, one of the founders of the Independent Labour Party.

"The building came into the hands of the YHA in the 1950s and it was modernised in 1997 when I was invited to re-open it. Closing the hostel would be a tragedy."

Councillors Morris Horsfield and Chris Tennant are also backing the campaign.

The YHA says it needs to close some less-used hostels to develop new ones but overall numbers will be the same.

A spokesman said: "We are withdrawing from unpopular locations and relocating to better sites.

We want good accommodation in good locations people want to visit."

The plans will be discussed at a meeting of the West Craven committee on Tuesday.