THE final whistle has been blown at Burnley's landmark sports complex.

It was game over for the William Thompson Recreation Centre this week, as a new hi-tech leisure facility prepares to usher in a new era for the town's fitness fans.

The centre was opened in 1974, at a cost of £1,250,000, thanks to the generosity of millionaire philanthropist William Thompson, who died only days before the official opening.

During the ceremony a memorial plaque was unveiled in the foyer by Miss Sarah Thompson, who partnered her brother with massive donations, and the Mayor of Burnley, Coun Eddie Hanson.

Mr Oswald Edge, managing director of McAlpine, who built the complex, presented a silver salver to Miss Thompson.

It had been back in 1972 when the foundation stone had been laid by Walter Winterbottom, director of the Sports Council and a former England football team manager.

The centre was built around a large pool a £190,000 high diving pool was opened later, complete with sauna and solarium with two spacious sports halls, catering for a whole range of different sports and squash courts. A creche was also included to allow young mums to partake in leisure facilities, knowing their youngsters were being well looked after.

Mr Thompson was a member of one of Burnley's oldest textile familes, moving to the town when he was 15 and attending Burnley Grammar School.

He began work in the weaving trade at a factory owned by his uncle, Thomas Thompson, and eventually became managing director.

Over the years he donated a small fortune to his adopted home town as did all the Thompson family indeed, his uncle bequeathed Thompson Park to the town.

* During the opening Craig Smallwood, of Nelson, received a cheque for £25 for designing the symbol, set to be centre's logo over the years.

The design, which had a letter T (for Thompson), inside a letter C (for centre) in the form of a running track was judged the best of the 99 entries received.