WESTLEIGH will have a desperately needed new community centre next summer if everything goes to plan.

A lottery bid, backed by Wigan Council Leader Lord Smith of Leigh, has recently been submitted for the multi-purpose centre on land in Westleigh Lane between Westleigh High and Westleigh Methodist Junior Schools.

The board of trustees for the steering group are also seeking further funding for the building which is expected to cost in the region of £800,000 and will be used by people from cradle to grave.

The scheme was initiated following a survey of 2,000 residents at the end of 2001 which revealed that 95 per cent felt a community centre was a priority to get youngsters of street corners and provide them with their own base.

Chairman of the trustees Deborah Murphy said: "The centre will be a joint project between Surestart and the Westleigh Community Centre Management Group and is needed so much. We have a fantastic team working to make the dream become a reality.

"There is nothing around here for the youngsters to do, everything has been allowed to go to rack and ruin. The nearest centre is at Higher Folds.

"We want to get young people off the streets and organising their own entertainment.

"A survey from the Trees estate to Plank Lane revealed that youngsters wanted the centre to accommodate keep fit, dance, an internet cafe, a youth club, indoor sports, drama, and a music and recording room.

"We hope to operate an open door policy that will accommodate people from cradle to grave and include keep fit classes for the elderly, teenage pregnancy advice, keep fit for children and holiday clubs among many other activities.

"The back-up has been brilliant, but the biggest learning curve I have had is preparing the lotto bid."

The impressive steering committee board of trustees is made up of Leigh MP Andy Burnham (president), Deborah, Trevor Barton, Gill David, Westleigh head John Banks, Wigan and Leigh College principal James Crewson, Cllr Myra Whiteside, head of Westleigh Methodist School Anne Bowyer, Colleen Fairhurst from the LEA and Vicar of St Paul's the Rev Terence Hargreaves Stead with support from the steering group which includes members of local community groups, local residents, ward councillors, the Township Forum, Greater Manchester Police and staff from the Township Programme.