TWO community centres are to be created in buildings that until last week housed an Accrington school.

Spring Hill Primary School has now moved to a new multi-million pound base in Exchange Street, leaving the two sites it has used since Victorian times - in Exchange Street and Hannah Street - vacant.

Lancashire County Council has now confirmed they will be used to house community groups.

Hyndburn Cultural Association (HCA) will move into the Hannah Street annex and the Springhill Network Group will lease the Exchange Street infant building.

It is hoped the former junior school in Exchange Street will be demolished by July for an urban park, created by the borough council.

HCA was set up three years ago in a terraced house to improve the education standards and opportunities for Pakistani and Bangladeshi children.

The association has worked closely with Accrington and Rossendale College, as well as finding money from central and local government. It is now hoping to join forces with the SureStart initiative to set up a creche to help parents.

The Spring Hill Community Centre - created on part of the of the Exchange Street site - will continue to house the Springhill out-of-school club and adult education classes, as well as becoming an outreach centre for Fairfield Nursery.

The centres were set up as community enterprises thanks to £25,000 from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and will also be available to Age Concern, ethnic minority groups, community wardens, police beat managers and the county council's youth and community service.

Both buildings will also be available for hire by local groups or events.

Pupils moved into the new school last week and county council deputy leader, Doreen Pollitt, said action was being taken to secure the buildings until they were back in use.

Coun Pollitt said: "This is a marvellous achievement. There has been a shortage of community meeting places for some time in this area and I am delighted that everyone has been able to put their heads together and come up with such a sensible solution."

Munsif Dad, from HCA, said: "We are very thankful that we'll have a permanent base in the heart of the community. As so many agencies will be together on one site, we will be able to work together and deliver a good quality service for all age groups."

Diane Fielding, from Springhill Network Group, added: "We want to stop the broadening generation gap in the community and provide activities that will give people confidence. This is just the start of a big project."