A NEW era for sports and leisure services in Rossendale will begin next month with the creation of Rossendale Leisure Trust.

Civic chiefs have agreed to transfer management of leisure facilities from Rossendale Borough Council to the new trust.

The trust will run Haslingden Sports Centre, Haslingden swimming pool, Marl Pits swimming pool, Bacup Leisure Hall and Ski Rossendale.

It will also be responsible for sports and art development and encouraging healthy lifestyles.

Public confidence hit rock bottom in 2002 when the council announced it was to axe five of leisure facilities to cut £400,000 from an over-burdened budget.

It is hoped the new system, which follows in the footsteps of a successful Pendle pilot, will vastly improve leisure services in the Valley.

The trust has VAT exemption and can apply for grants not open to the council. The board of directors will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the centres and halls but the council will retain ownership.

The board is made up of 11 trustees, with two elected members of Rossendale Council, councillors Lawrence Forshaw and Jeff Cheetham and a staff representative, Sue Molyneux.

The eight other members, who are representatives of the Rossendale Community are: Norman Hauserman, a retired business man; Roger Fulton, managing director of a large company and school governor; David Johnson, who manages an engineering company; Brian Manning, a retired director of leisure services in Preston; Gary Prosser, an active sportsman who represents healthy living for the primary care trust; Yvette Cairnes, a previous trust member and a director of studies; Philip Lord, chairman of Rossendale Sports Club and a head of physical education; and Peter Wilmers, an executive director of Groundwork.

Gary Hood, Rossendale Leisure executive director, said: "There are many advantages of moving to a trust, but the question most of our customers are asking is how it will improve the service and what advantages will it mean for me.

"The trust will be accountable to a board of trustees who will be made up of local people, from day one the service will be run by the people for the people." Funds will come through a council grant and charges for admission and other services.

Council leder David Hancock added: "This will be the start of an exciting future for sports and leisure in Rossendale. The council will be working closely with the trust to ensure the residents are provided with first class sports and leisure facilities and development opportunities for the whole borough."