NATIONAL competitions could be attracted to East Lancashire after grants of £500,000 helped develop what is claimed to be the best sailing club in the UK.

Hundreds of windsurfing and sailing enthusiasts already flock to the area to take advantage of funding from the Sport England Lottery Fund and United Utilities.

Now Rossendale Valley Sailing Club members enjoy a new clubhouse next to Clowbridge Reservoir between Burnley and Rossendale.

Tom Whittaker, who is the principal of the Royal Yachting Association School which operates at the centre seven-days a week, said: "Events which would normally be held on the South Coast will be attracted to come here thanks to these new facilities."

The centre has already attracted several Olympic contenders who have run courses at the centre to pass on their skills to local youngsters.

Tom said: "Our major advantage is that we are so high up that we have good winds on the reservoir and now our facilities are the best in the country.

Landscaping work has still to be carried out but paths around the site to give disabled access have already been installed.