THE former Bacup baths site is to be sold to Sure Start at a cost of £50,000 plus the council's legal and valuers costs.

The sale, which prompted controversy when it was agreed because local developer Brain Boys was also hoping to take over the premises, has taken months to finalise.

The Government-funded Sure Start programme has been set up in Bacup and Stacksteads to improve facilities for young children aged up to four in the area and the baths premises is proposed for a day nursery.

Council leader Coun John Holt told members of the corporate policy committee: "I think really we would have a problem if planning permission were not granted and there is also the issue that will arise in ten years' time when the scheme comes to an end.

"We can't foretell what is going to happen in ten years time."

Chief executive Steven Hartley said a recent meeting discussed what would happen at the end of the scheme and it is hoped that the facilities will then be taken over by the public authorities.