ROSSENDALE could soon benefit from a new £1.3million community sports facility -- if plans get the go-ahead today.

Whitworth Community High School has submitted plans to Rossendale Council to erect a sports hall for school and community use and build a single-storey entrance corridor linking the school's existing gxmnasium to the new development.

Facilities will include space equivalent to four badminton courts, a fitness suite, instruction room and changing room and will be available to high school pupils and primary school pupils as well as other people outside school hours. The extension will also house administration offices.

Neil Robinson, head teacher, said: "The school and community have worked together for many years to bring this much needed facility to Whitworth.

"Whitworth Town Council, Whitworth Sports and Recreation Trust have worked together with governors of the school and Lancashire County Council.

"The resulting building will add to and be in sympathy with our recently completed and spectacular new building."

The sports hall will be on the north side of the school, behind the gym. Julie-Ann Ellis, a PE specialist at the school, said: "The sports hall will greatly enhance the teaching of physical education at this school.

"We have done our best over the years with the existing accommodation but it has restricted our indoor activities."

The plans will go before Rossendale Borough Council development control committee tonight.