ACCRINGTON Stanley Community Trust has gained the support of sports groups in the area as it works on submitting plans for a multi-million pound hub.

The group is working on plans for a £2million site in Higham Playing Fields which would support a number of sports including football, rugby and cricket.

The East Lancashire Football Alliance, which supports around 440 teams, and Accrington and District Junior Football League (ADJFL), have given their support to the plans after meetings with staff at the trust.

Craig Wilkinson, secretary of the ELFA, said: “We are excited by the plans for the new sports hub after meeting with the community trust.”

Gareth Cross, secretary of the ADJFL said: “It is great news to see the likes of Accrington Stanley’s Community Trust looking to the future of one our nations great sports and taking a vital step to help preserve one of our local playing fields.”

The Trust said plans for the sports hub are set to be handed in to Hyndburn Council in the coming months.

It also said a public consultation will be launched in the near future after a petition against the plans attracted 740 supporters.