VOLUNTEERS say they were determined to fight to keep community centres open after being told of funding cuts.

Blackburn with Darwen Council will initially stop paying for Little Harwood, Sudellside, Ivy Street and Shadsworth centres, in a move it says will save £150,000 a year.

There will be similar moves in the rest of the 12 centres across the borough over the next year, in a move aimed at saving a total of £305,000 a year by 2012.

In December 2007 a council-commissioned report by a team of consultants recommended the closure of Little Harwood, Sudellside, Ivy Street and Shadsworth community centres - and town hall bosses rejected the findings.

But now the council plans to hand over the running of the centres to local groups - which would pay a minimal rent but would have to shoulder the bills and running costs as well as provide people to man the buildings.

Where this is not viable the centres will be closed.

Community centres are used by a host of local groups, from luncheon clubs for pensioners to karate classes and youth clubs.

Blackburn MP Jack Straw uses them to hold regular surgeries.

Brian Booth, of Ivy Street Community Association, said the centre, near the infirmary housing developments, had recently been given an £80,000 facelift.

He said: “We fought like mad to keep it open when they knocked the houses down here. We are not prepared to lose it.”

Sudell Liberal Democrat councillor Roy Davies insisted it was viable for local groups to take over the running of Sudellside.

He said: “They would have to raise more money than they have in the past.

"But I honestly believe they can stand on their own two feet.”

Click on the link below for our exclusive story on the Blackburn with Darwen cuts.