OVER 100 people turned up to protest against the proposed closure of a community centre in Darwen.

Sudellside Community Centre, Sudellside Street, has been earmarked for closure by the borough council after experts said it "was not viable".

A report commissioned by Blackburn with Darwen Council concluded that most of the borough's community centres were "outdated and in poor condition", and all were running at a loss.

And it recommended the closure of Sudellside, as well as other centres in Ivy Street, Blackburn, Little Harwood and Shadsworth, which it said were all under-used.

But residents are fighting the council's move and more than 100 people turned up for a meeting at Sudellside this week.

Ray Heaps, who runs a judo club at the community centre, was one of those leading the protest and he does not believe it is under-used'.

He said: "The room was full to capacity. That's how important this community centre is to the people round here.

"If this centre closes then there will be no other between Edgworth and Blackburn - Darwen will miss out completely.

"They say they don't want kids on the streets and the Government want something done about obesity, but they are taking away something that could help with those matters, and taking away something we love.

"Under no circumstance are we letting this community centre close without a fight."

The centre is used by sports groups, parent and toddler groups, trade unions, homework support clubs, disabled groups, community associations, and for pensioners' luncheons and bingo sessions.

Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, Colin Rigby, was keen to stress that no decison had been made on Sudellside.

He said: "When we came into power in May this particular exercise had already been entered into by the previous administration.

"We were not aware of it when we came into control and we do not particularly agree with it.

"In the next six months there will be a consultation with the people and a decision will be made.

"There were no councillors at the meeting on Tuesday night because the opposition called an extraordinary meeting in the Town Hall and all councillors were required to attend.

"I do apologise for the lack of representation but it was something that couldn't be avoided."

Blackburn with Darwen Council owns and runs 13 community centres, which is more than most local authorities.