MP Janet Anderson is leading calls for councillors to reject moves to close four "vital" community centres.

A council-commissioned review has proposes the closure of Ivy Street, Little Harwood and Shadsworth centres in Blackburn and Sudellside in Darwen.

Blackburn with Darwen Council's ruling coalition has pledged to try and support the four threatened centres, but no guarantees have been given on their future.

But the Darwen MP has urged Blackburn with Darwen council to reject the review, commissioned by the previous Labour regime, outright.

She said: "This is a nonsense. The review suggests that Sudellside is underused, is in need of refurbishment and has a lack of parking spaces. I know from experience this is untrue."

David Jackson, chairman of Sudellside Community Association, said he was "shocked" when he read in the Lancashire Telegraph that the centre, where he helps out for free, could be axed.

He said: "It would be a devastating blow. This is a vital centre. There is a new development being built behind, and this will bring more young families into the area.

"There are quite a number of groups that come in and have events here, and I just can't understand where this has come from. I can understand why the council at the time felt the need for a review, but I had no idea it would be so far-reaching.

"The review does have implications for us - there are a lot of people asking questions, and as I don't know the full picture, I am as confused as the next man.

"It is very unsettling for the users and the staff.

"People love this area, and the centre has a key role to play in its future. Things like this do not help at all."

The £15,000 report, by Bradford-based consultants Royds, also recommended Darwen Community Centre be converted to a youth centre - a measure the council is supporting. But bosses have been warned vulnerable people could suffer as a result.

Councillors in Blackburn have already spoken of their anger at the possible closures.

Ivy Oglesby, the chairman of the centre, on Knott Street, Darwen, said moving the lunch clubs and senior citizens' groups away from the centre would be a nightmare for the users.

She said: "There isn't another community centre in the town centre. If they move it to a school, they could only be fitted in at night. Old people do not want to go out at night.

"You have got people walking with zimmer frames and this will be more expensive for people, if it doesn't stop altogether. A lot of these people will be stuck in their own homes."