A LIFELINE has been thrown to the Albaston Millennium Green by Calstock Parish Council after the popular facility was threatened with closure.

The management committee of the third of an acre site, one of only three created in Cornwall to celebrate the millennium, has been struggling for years to get new trustees and funding.

Members approached the parish council after several attempts to attract new blood failed. The authority has now agreed to become sole trustee, taking on the maintenance and responsibility.

Ginny Jackett, who has been involved with the millennium green since its inception, said: 'It's extremely good news that the parish council has agreed to become sole trustee. It will secure the green into the future, otherwise it would have closed.

'We hope the community backs this. The green cannot ever be built on but it is not a lot of good if it can't be used.'

Mrs Jackett said the existing trustees would be asked if they wanted to carry on and form a committee to fundraise and help run the ground.

'The onus will not be on us anymore to find the money to maintain the green but we could help fundraise for new seats, temporary goalposts —anything that people want really.

The green cost £60,000 to create with local fundraising and a grant from the Countryside Agency. It is the only communal space in the village and cannot contain permanent structures.

It has been used for fetes, festivals and even wedding receptions but is most often used as a quiet place to sit and by parents teaching their children to ride bicycles.

Chairman of the parish council Jane Moore said the council looked after a lot of open spaces in the parish and it seemed the sensible thing to do to add this small space to its portfolio.

'It will keep the millennium green available for the parish for the future,' she said.