MP wants Lotto cash for area MP WANTS CASH BACK FROM LOTTERY By Brian Gomm AN EXTENSION to a club which was built in the 1920s by striking miners was made possible by a £143,000 grant from the Coalfields Regeneration Trust.

MP Terry Lewis officially opened the new lounge and changing rooms at Astley and Tyldesley Miner's Welfare Club -- then criticised lottery allocation levels to parts of his Worsley constituency.

He told an audience outside the Gin Pit village club: "This is about the most friendly spot in the constituency. People here deserve everything they get."

Mr Lewis said an application for National Lottery funding for the project was rejected but the Coalfield Regeneration Trust agreed to support the venture at the club, which was built during the 1926 strike.

He said: "I have a bee in my bonnet that this constituency is getting nothing out of the Sport England bit of the Lottery. If anybody deserves it, the community here does. I'm pleased the Coalfields Regeneration Trust was able to cough up."

Club trustee Joe Gorringe had introduced Mr Lewis, along with Coalfield Regeneration Trust trustee and CISWO chief executive Vernon Jones, who handed a giant cheque to A & T club chairman Derek Jolley.

Mr Jones said: "It wasn't that long ago this club was struggling. It's a credit to trustees and all those involved that not only have you turned this position round, but you now have a magnificent extension and magnificent facilities."

Mr Gorringe thanked the Coalfield Regeneration Trust for making the project possible and the junior sides' coach, David Groves, for his help. The new lounge has been named the Groves Suite, as a tribute to the man who worked tirelessly on the plans.

A Sport England spokesman confirmed Tyldesley had not received lottery funding. She said: "We welcome applications from these areas as along as they meet our criteria, which involves having a viable business plan, and there must be a community need." and the application must meet these needs." and cater for the whole community, especially minority groups." With story - More Info: Joe Gorringe - Tel: (01942) 883067 BEST CUT: Terry Lewis MP cuts the ribbon to open the new extension at Astley and Tyldesley Miners Welfare Institute. Miners Welfare chairman Derek Jolley, left, and chairman of the cricket section, David Groves, centre, receive a cheque for £143,036 from Vernon Jones (Ref: J2226-2a)

"We would really like to thank the Coalfield Regeneration Trust for without their tremendous help none of this would have been possible. This is the first major alteration to the building since it opened in 1927. He said: "We now have changing rooms for men and women a new lounge.

"The room is available for community hire and we do catering and even have our own disco. Facilities include a games room, tennis courts, bowling green, a cricket ground, cycle speedway track, football pitches and whippet racing track."

"There are huge contributions going to the Lottery funds from this community - they should be getting something back.