Investors have come forward to save a cash-strapped West Craven football club.

Semi-professional side Barnoldswick Town FC has been in serious difficulty due to a tough financial climate and a lack of volunteers.

The club’s goalkeeper, 18-year-old Lyle Davy, of Barnoldswick, and Lancashire county councillor Paul White, brought together a collection of Pendle-based businesses to address the immediate financial risks.

At an open meeting, the decision was made to secure the club’s future, which will see it remain in the North West Counties League next year.

Lyle said: “I asked Paul to come down to the club when I first knew of the difficulties we were in, and there and then we made the commitment to go away and raise the money to get us out of immediate difficulty.

“The local business community has been so supportive and their help has secured our position to continue to play at the standard of football we deserve to.”

Alongside the financial help from Kelbrook-based Euravia Engineering, Innova Solutions, Barnfield Construction, Cloud1990.com and Mitchell Interflex, new board members will focus on commercial aspects of the club.

Barnoldswick Town FC secretary Lynn James said: “How we have grown as a club has been astounding. From our humble beginnings in 1972 we’ve managed the football side of the club but because of our size we now need a separate team to come in and look after our commercial interests.

“The players have been so supportive and everyone has been really positive about this news which will see us in a strong position going forwards.”