LOTTERY money could transform Pendle over the next few years if bids in the pipeline are successful.

A number of new bids are set to be submitted in the near future and the council's Lottery Action Group has put forward a "shopping list" of ideas which could be submitted later.

These include the creation of a "Fame"-style rehearsal and studio space at the former Nelson and Colne College building in Linden Road, Colne, a sports hall at Wavelengths swimming pool, Nelson, and an ambitious plan to link Barrowford Park and Victoria Park, Nelson, to form a Millennium Park.

The major stumbling block to any scheme would be the need for the cash-strapped council to find funds to match the Lottery grants. The council has already received around £1.25 million for a new sports centre in Barnoldswick and the refurbishment of Colne Municipal Hall.

Other bids to be submitted shortly include:

Transformation of Nelson Civic Theatre into a multi-cultural arts centre (£200,000).

Refurbishment of St Mary's Church, Nelson (cost unknown).

Restoration work at Marsden Park, Nelson, and possibly at Nelson and Colne cemeteries (cost unknown).

An Astroturf all-weather pitch in Colne (£149,500).

A multi-purpose sports pitch in Earby (£40,000).

Councillor John David, chairman of the resource management which will discuss progress on lottery bids on Tuesday, said: "The council has been very successful in its bids so far and we are very optimistic about the chances of the bids which are in the pipeline. "The list of possible new projects presents exciting opportunities for improving the quality of life for local people.

"The most difficult task will be to find other sources of money to match to grants which we hope to get from the National Lottery."

Investigations are being carried out into the possibility of buying land along Pendle Water between Barrowford and Victoria parks to create a riverside Millennium Park.

Proposals for a "Fame" studio and a sports centre at Wavelengths are to be included in next year's Pendle Youth Focus bid for Single Regeneration Budget cash, which will be aimed at boosting projects relating to young people in the area.

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