SPORTS facilities in Haslingden are set for a healthy cash injection after councillors agreed to borrow £1.2million to fund improvements.

Haslingden Sports Centre will be extended to create a health and fitness gym, aerobics studio and combat room and Rossendale Council will also carry out a full scale review of leisure provision across the borough.

The council is borrowing the money to help Rossendale Leisure Trust which manages Ski Rossendale, Haslingden Sports Centre, Haslingden swimming pool, Marl Pits swimming pool and Bacup Leisure Hall.

Chairman of Rossendale Leisure Trust Norman Houseman said: "It's great the council is supporting us. When I first spoke on this item at cabinet before Christmas, I highlighted the fact that investment in our other facilities is also needed so I'm pleased we'll now be working in partnership with the council to look at the total picture."

As well as creating a 'lifestyle centre', the cash will also pay for improvements to make Haslingden Sports Centre comply with the Disability Discrimination Act and internal refurbishments in the reception area and changing rooms.

The sports centre already has six badminton courts, a sports hall, two squash courts and a fitness suite.

Rossendale Council is allowed to borrow the money under rules introduced by the Government in 2003 .

Coun Duncan Ruddick said: "It has become clear as we have discussed this proposal for Haslingden Sports Centre that we need to take a wider look at leisure in the borough. We've been on visits to other boroughs to look at the improvements they have made and have been impressed by what we've seen. We're committed to working with the Trust to have the maximum positive impact on people's health."