THE proposed £40 million aquatic centre remains the best option for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, despite claims that Manchester is backing a rival bid.

Commenting on reports that Manchester had reached a deal with the city's two universities, Cllr Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council, said: "This confirms the suspicions we've had for some time now. I think it is strange that after accepting Wigan's support in order to win the games, Manchester should now be promoting an alternative scheme.

"It is obvious that without our proposals Manchester would have been unable to put together their Olympic and Commonwealth games bids. Nevertheless I am still confident that the pool at Pennington will be the best for the games, which after all are supposed to bring long term benefits to the region as a whole and not just the city."

Cllr Smith added that the council will continue to promote the plans to build the centre on land owned by Wigan and Leigh College "at every level" and said he is confident that, given a fair hearing, the site will offer the best facilities in the North West.

He said: "We have had very helpful discussions with the Sports Council and other bodies, and the Pennington proposals have the support of all the major swimming bodies. Wigan has the traditions of swimming and a commitment to swimming facilities."

The multi-million pound bid for help towards building the aquatic centre was submitted to the Lottery Sports Fund judges in December and features in the official bid document that won the Games for Manchester amid jubilation which was later marred locally after jibes from Manchester Council Leader Graham Stringer that athletes did not want to be stuck in a "muddy village', which pundits in Leigh took to mean Pennington.

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