GIRL gymnasts in Rossendale have £75,000 to spend - but no home to call their own.

Haslingden's Olympics Gymnastics Club was today celebrating the major cash award for a new headquarters from the pools-backed Foundation for Sports and Arts.

But the group, which has over 60 members from five to 17 years, is still looking for a suitable building to make their base.

Plans to convert the disused New Jerusalem Church in Haslingden into a multi-purpose sports complex fell through when the the grant award was not confirmed on time and the church authority sold the building to another party.

The gymnasts had by then spent £200 gaining planning permission for change of use of the building. Now the club, formed a quarter of a century ago after local people were inspired by the success of Soviet Gymnast Olga Korbut at the Munich Olympics, is looking for new inspiration for a headquarters.

At present members use Haslingden High School gym and chief coach Michael Crilly says: "The award gives us an excellent opportunity for our own gym but we know of no suitable high building in the town available at the moment.

"We would be grateful for any suggestions," he added.

The £86,000 plan to convert the church would have created a centre for full use by boy and girl gymnasts and wider community use for other groups, said Mr Crilly.

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