Hyndburn Council has taken back control of the construction site for Wilson Sports Village following the collapse of the lead contractor.

The council announced in September that ISG, which was in charge of delivering the £12.6 million project in Clayton-le-Moors, had filed for administration after attempts to secure a rescue deal had failed.

Since that announcement, the council has been working closely with Alliance Leisure Ltd to establish a way forward for the development of the site.

In an update, the council said: "Following on from necessary steps in conjunction with Alliance Leisure and their engagement with Ernst and Young, the appointed administrators, the council has formally taken back control of the construction site and is ensuring the site is safe and secure.

READ MORE: Hyndburn's Wilson Sport Village at threat after ISG collapse

"The project team comprising officers from the council and Alliance Leisure have been focusing efforts on getting the construction site operational and place great emphasis on minimising impact and disruption to the programme to deliver the project."

The council also said it has made "good progress" in identifying possible contractors to complete the project and it's expected that a further update will be known by the end of November.

It is hoped that work on the site will recommence in early 2025.

The council added: "In the meantime, other facilities at Wilson Playing Fields are still in use including the athletic track, sports pitches, and the popular Parkrun."

Plans for the leisure centre involved demolishing an existing clubhouse and replacing it with a new sports centre, with the steel framework for the sports complex completed in July.

READ MORE: Wilson Sports Village on track despite ISG collapse

Accommodating a 25-metre four-lane pool, indoor and outdoor changing facilities, offices, community rooms, a café and reception area, the leisure centre created great controversy and received 114 objections to the application.

The plan was formulated by ex-council leader Miles Parkinson, who spearheaded the project.

It was initially criticised by Labour councillors as a “vanity project”, but after seizing power of the borough in May's local elections the party has supported the plans with construction well underway.