WAYS to make Turton Tower more profitable are to be drawn up in a bid to save the historic building.

The future of the 15th century Tudor house in uncertain after Lancashire County Council threatened to axe vital funding.

Maintenance, staffing and upkeep of the former family home, built around 1420, is financed mainly through a £69,000 grant from the county's adult and community services budget.

But as part of economies, which could also see five East Lancashire libraries shut, the county announced funding would be stopped by April 2008. Supporters of the Grade I listed building now fear for the building's future and North Turton Parish Council is involved in a campaign to save it.

Members have called for a feasibility study which will aim to highlight alternative options for the use of the tower to attract more visitors, and therefore more money.

Parish councillor Neil Wild said: "We have decided a feasibility study could be a way to save the tower. We hope it may bring something fresh we haven't thought of. This will hopefully bring interest from outside sources to take over the funding when Lancashire pull out.

"We are currently raising funds for this to be carried out. Then a tender to complete the study will be sent out in the next few weeks. I feel passionate about the tower and want it to be saved.

"We have not previously been very optimistic but now we may be."

The Friends of Turton Tower are also determined to keep the attraction open to the public and are urging people to give a couple of pounds each month towards the maintenance fund.

A section of the Turton Tower website has been devoted to saving the "local gem" through the A Little Bit Campaign'.

People are also being encouraged to pay an annual fee to join the Friends group and businesses are invited to sponsor events.

Anyone wishing to get involved can visit www.turtontower.org.uk or call the tower on 01204 852203.