UNIVERSITY bosses have got their hands on £7.9 million lottery cash which will build a long-awaited state-of-the-art sports complex near Preston.

The cash, the biggest single payout yet by the Lottery Sports Fund, will help build the £12 million centre in Cottam near Preston, bringing to an end almost 15 years of controversy.

In the early 1980s, athletes launched a campaign to re-site their London Road track. Plans hit the headlines when Moor Park residents objected to the planned parkland site.

The University joined the campaign in 1994. They bid for Lottery cash in November last year and heard they had got it last week.

The plans for the 60-acre site include ten football and rugby pitches, a cricket ground, a running track and a multi-purpose all-weather surface.

University Pro-Vice Chancellor, Brian Booth, said the scheme would help both local sports clubs and the 20,000 students studying in the town.

He said: "This is a huge boost for people who will use these facilities, for the people of Preston and for the young."

Organiser of the bid, David Walsh said that he was delighted with the news. He said: "This is a result of the partnership between Preston Borough Council and the university. I hope people from all over the region will be able to benefit from these facilities."

Building starts on the site later this year but it is not expected to be fully operational until 1998.

Olympic gold-winning cyclist, Chris Boardman, who presented the cheque said the complex would improve the standard of sportsmen and women in the region.

He said: "There are many people in the area who want to participate in sport but have no local facilities. Now they have the opportunity."

Car parking space for almost 500 cars will be provided and the pitches will be floodlit.

Preston MP Audrey Wise said: "This will be a valuable amenity to the community and I'm pleased that we are to get a new running track without any disruption to any of the parks in the town."

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