A COMMUNITY sports organisation has secured a new lease for its home from the council which owns it lasting until 2044.

Mill Hill Football Club has also secured Asset of Community Value status for its Griffin Ground giving it extra protection from development.

The club, founded in 1987 as The King Inn which latter merged with Griffin Celtic, has been at the ground since 2001.

Its lease from landowner Blackburn with Darwen Council was due to end in 2024.

Chairman Bill Maynard has comfirmed the club has negotiated a 25-year extension taking it to November 2044 as well as securing ACV status.

In September it opened a new Colin Brennan and Bill Costello Stand named after two club stalwarts.

Mr Maynard said: “This is good news. It gives the club more security of tenure going forward. It gives people more confidence for sponsorship and funding.

“We have a plan over the next five years that will hopefully see it expand.”

Borough leisure boss Cllr Damian Talbot, who represents Mill Hill ward, said: “I am absolutely delighted. This gives the club, which is an important part of the local community, security for the future.”