A COUNCIL-owned leisure centre is celebrating securing a second lottery jackpot to help pay for renovation work.

The Heritage Lottery Fund has announced a grant of £86,300 towards a £95,905 rejuvenation scheme at Darwen Leisure Centre.

The cash boost will be used to repair an ornamental glass roof lantern over the main swimming pool and reinstate iron railings outside the building, which were removed during the Second World War.

The first phase of the major face-life is already well under way, thanks to last year's £148,00 grant from the Sports Lottery Fund. Contractors will begin work on the new scheme during the current refurbishment programme and the renovations are expected to be completed by mid-December.

The latest application by Blackburn Borough Council was supported by Darwen MP Janet Anderson, who said: "I am absolutely delighted with this award and glad that I could be of help in supporting the bid."

Coun Dave Smith, chair of Blackburn's Community and Leisure Services committee, added: "This grant is another example of the borough council securing funding for facilities from outside agencies. It is great news for the people of Darwen who are set to benefit from the facilities."

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