A NEW community centre could be given the go-ahead for the site of a former school within weeks.

Councillors and residents around Exchange Street and Hannah Street, Accrington, have been crossing their fingers that they would be able to use one of the old Spring Hill school buildings in Exchange Street.

A planning application is being looked at by Hyndburn authorities and members of Spring Hill Network Group today said they hoped a lease could be signed as early as mid-August.

Diane Fielding, secretary of the Network Group, said a centre for out-of-school clubs, adult education, youth clubs and groups would stop the community "breaking down".

She said: "There are children running around with nowhere to go and little contact between people. This centre is for everyone of all colours."

The community centre will be in the old brick building where some Lancashire County Council education courses will be delivered, as well as an out-of-school club.

The stone buildings on the site will be demolished and the space used for a recreation area.

Campaigners have joined forces with Hyndburn Cultural Association in Hannah Street to apply for a possible £180,000 funding stream which has yet to be confirmed from the lottery's New Opportunities Fund.

The area currently relies on Fairfield Community Centre which predominantly provides services for elderly people.

Spring Hill ward councillor Edith Dunston has been one of the project's instigators.

She said: "There is light at the end of the tunnel, even though the project might not have moved along quite as quickly as we would have liked.

"It was a very ambitious idea and one that we are very proud of.

"There has been a lot of organisation behind the scenes. We saw that Spring Hill was one of the most deprived areas and we needed to do more."