LEISURE chiefs say they need £5.7 million to make Burnley's Thompson Centre fit for the 21st century.

This week they launched their bid for National Lottery money to pay for essential repairs and an ambitious modernisation programme.

If the bid is successful, the grant will cover 90 per cent of the cost of the work - the council must find the rest from other sources.

The leisure centre, Lancashire's biggest, was built in 1973 and is becoming dilapidated - pool structures, mechanical and electrical equipment and water pipes all need replacing.

A council report says: "The fact that the building is still in a safe and usable condition is credit to the council's main- tenance."

Its other defects include poor access for disabled people, unwelcoming appearance and dated design.

Centre bosses stress that the building and pools are perfectly safe but need to be repaired over the next decade.

The council is confident of winning £5.1 million lottery cash. The decision will be known by April and work, due to start a year later, would last around 17 months. There would be phased closure of parts of the centre - pools would be closed for six to nine months.

The renovated centre would include a totally new entrance area, pool-side cafe and a host of hi-tech facilities designed to get more people participating in activities.

Community services manager Ian Saville said:"The number of people who use the Thompson Centre every year is three times the population of Burnley.

"What we are planning to spend represents £10 per person. It is very good value for money."

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