VOLUNTEERS fighting to save Whitworth baths from the axe have raised funds of around £30,000 to help their cause.

Members of Whitworth Community Leisure Association (CLAW) rallied round to find the money after Rossendale Council revealed the baths figured among five leisure facilities to be closed in a cost-cutting exercise.

A meeting to discuss the future of the baths was held this week in a bid to persuade the council to provide the majority of funding needed to save the pool.

The support would leave the council to find £153,000 worth of funding. The authority will consider the plan at February's budget meeting.

Leader of the council Graham Pearson said: "At the moment no commitment has been given to the pool.

"The reason for the meeting was for people to present their case to council members over what course of action they were proposing, which I believe they did very well."

The association is also considering the installation of a new gym after working to clear the former sunbed and sauna area over Christmas and New Year.

Residents with an opinion on the future of the proposed new gym can also attend a public meeting next week. The association will host the meeting at Whitworth Civic Hall on Tuesday at 7.30pm to get views on how the new facility could be used.

CLAW committee member Martin Duffy said it was vital that as many people as possible attended the meeting so that the gym could be a positive community facility.

Coun Lawrence Forshaw, chairman of the council leisure committee, said: "The residents' committee did an excellent presentation, which was extremely exhilarating.

"The public have rallied round to save their own facility which made a refreshing change.

"Whitworth people have decided to do something positive about the situation to help improve their area, which should be applauded.

"The future is now in the balance but it will be decided at the budget whether or not we will be able to provide the necessary funding.

"It is a lot of money but we will consider the options available to us. I know someone who lives in Thirsk where volunteers set up their own cinema because they didn't have one.

"It's good to see people doing things off their own back because the council cannot provide everything. The community is pulling together to save the pool and we will work with them to try and achieve that."