A LEISURE centre is celebrating after receiving £40,000 in funding to create a new area to help people find employment.

Padiham Leisure Centre has been awarded the money by the North West Development Agency (NWDA) for an 'Education Zone'.

The addition to the 28-year-old centre will be used for training courses, careers advice and voluntary schemes.

Burnley Council's area facilities manager, Paul Foster, who led the bid said: "This is excellent news for Padiham Leisure Centre. It demonstrates our hard work and commitment to develop facilities and increase participation "We will target local people who want to volunteer, and are looking to use the centre to train people to supervise sports initiatives, for example, youth teams."

During the three month application process, Mr Foster faced a grilling from Padiham Life, who awarded the funding on behalf of the NWDA as part of their market town initiative.

He confirmed that Burnley College will use the new facilities to teach courses, and givee career advice. The town has been without a JobCentre since 1998.

"Burnley College will use the centre as one of their satellite' facilities to their main centre. They will use the zone to teach some of the basic skills to get people into employment," he said.

Counr Roger Frost, Burnley Council's executive member for leisure and recreation, was delighted with the funding, saying: "It will enhance the possibilities for Padiham Leisure Centre.

"It will allow greater scope for health and education in the town as well as providing a valuable venue for other organisations and voluntary groups".

Work on the project is set to be completed by April.