COUNCIL chiefs have pledged to find a solution in the next month to the row surrounding the running of Longridge Sports Centre.

Ribble Valley Council and Longridge High School are currently in dispute over how best to manage the facility, which is run by the school.

The council has paid out nearly £1.6million in support costs over the past 10 years and has considered ditching the centre.

And the school has come in for criticism from councillors and officers who have accused it of not sticking to a duel use agreement signed by both parties when the sports centre was built in 1979.

But last year headteacher Alan Lewis accused the council of lies and half-truths.

Now they have agreed that the agreement is out dated and needs changing.

The council, after 12 months of negotiations, says something has to be done and a new agreement needs to be found before the school closes for the summer.

There are conflicts over the needs of the school and the needs of the general public.

Robert Thompson, the chairman of the council's community committee, said: "I realise this is an ambitious target, but unless it is met negotiations will drift even further, until the school arrives back for the autumn term.

"Irrespective of differences between the school and ourselves regarding operational matters at the site, the interests of our customers must come first and I hope this gives them confidence that the council is trying to provide the best possible service, while at the same time negotiating a new agreement that represents value for money for council taxpayers."

Mr Lewis said the school were anxious to reach an agreement as soon as possible but urged the council to keep their word.

He said: "The governors remain committed to resolve issues that will not only serve the interests of the customers of Longridge Sports Centre but also ensure the safety and welfare of the school pupils.

"But the governors are concerned that the statements of intent emanating from RVBC are not backed up by action that will give these statements some credibility.