THE future of Accrington’s vital walk-in centre has been under threat since last year.

Health bosses were considering closing the centre due to an overspend of £1million in 2012.

It sparked a major campaign and a petition by patients, councillors and patient support groups to keep the valued health service up and running.

The popular centre allows people to be seen every day by a doctor without an appointment.

This is rare in today’s society as most of us have to either call our health centres first thing in the morning to get an appointment or face a lengthy wait.

Now it looks like the centre has been given a reprieve of a further 18 months which has been welcomed by the whole community.

The centre was set up in 2009 and sees up to 100 users a day.

It is also an essential service for elderly people in the local area who may not be able to travel to nearby Burnley General or the Royal Blackburn Hospital for treatment.

Let us hope the East Lancashire Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) now listens to the views of patients instead of just ticking a box to save money.

But, for the time being, it seems people power has won the day and this is a victory for common sense.