A LEADING Blackburn councillor is asking town hall finance bosses to pay for worn-out astroturf pitches to be replaced.

Kate Hollern, Blackburn with Darwen's executive member for leisure and culture, has asked the council to provide the £310,000 needed to fund the upgrade at Witton Park.

Last month it was revealed that a bid for cash from the Football Foundation was diverted to another project at St Bede's school.

It is understood that several football and hockey teams which use the pitches have complained about the state of them.

Now Coun Hollern wants the council to fork out for the repair work so that the 100,000 people who use the pitches every year can keep on playing.

The bid is currently being considered by accountants. If the money is given to Coun Hollern's team, the money will be repaid at £30,000 every year for 10 years.

Coun Hollern said the money was needed so that the pitches could be brought back up to their required safety standard.

She added: "This is my number-one priority now. I am hoping that by the end of the month we will know if the council is going to pay for the work to be done."

The pitches at Witton were said to bring £80,000 into council coffers every year.

Tory councillor Fred Slater, shadow leisure and culture spokesman, said he supported the move for funding in principle but was worried about the affect it could have on this year's budget.

He added: "The work has to be done, there's no doubt about that.

"But I think the council should be able to get the money from somewhere, rather than dipping into the town's funds.

"The council could leave itself vulnerable when it comes to the budget.

"Other councillors may have objections but the work has to be done."