A CAMPAIGN has been launched in Colne to ensure a new health centre venture for the town is not abandoned.

Bosses at East Lancashire Primary Care Trust have announced that proposed replacements for Colne Health Centre, Clitheroe Community and Great Harwood medical centre have been placed on hold for six months.

NHS chiefs are facing a financial ‘black hole’ of up to £6million and are considering alternatives to delivering new facilities in the three towns.

Now community leaders in Colne are marshalling their own lobbying group to convince the health trust that the town’s needs are the most pressing.

Coun Tony Greaves said that mortality rates were among the highest in the country and the incidence of heart disease and bronchial conditions was also worrying.

“Everyone in Colne, from doctors to councillors and patients need to join together on this,” he told the Colne area committee.

“If only one centre is built, out of Clitheroe, Colne and Great Harwood, then it must be Colne.” Months of negotation between health officials and councillors eventually led to the former Kwik Save site in Craddock Road being identified as a suitable site and purchased.

Veteran health campaigner Harry Pickles said the facilities at the existing health centre in Richmond Court, off Market Street, were no longer suitable.

“Rawtenstall has got a new health centre, and two have been built in Hyndburn.

“It is a crying shame if this building is not turned into an updated health centre,” he added.

Councillors in Colne have asked the borough council’s executive to draw up a case study outlining why the Craddock Road proposals should succeed.