YOUNGSTERS in Leyland are set to benefit from a much needed modern creche after councillors agreed a £20,000 cash boost.

In a move that should be welcomed by parents, children who attend a nursery at the town's leisure centre will soon be able to use a new more spacious facility.

Until recently, visitors to the council-run building with youngsters below school age have had to hold their playgroup meetings on a cramped squash court.

Now the authority has opened the doors to their state-of-the-art Planet Pulse Fitness Suite and the old gym has been left without a use.

So they decided the best way forward would be to turn the vacant gym into a better creche and they coughed up cash for it to be converted.

Councillor Alan Dawson, the council's chair of recreation and amenities, said: "The squash court was not ideal because it was a bit crammed. The creche down there is packed especially during the holidays.

"Another good thing is that it will relieve facilities for other uses.

"We had to take another squash court for Planet Pulse so this should put one back into use.

"We should be very proud of many of the developments that are going on in Leyland.

"This will be another string to the town's bow."

The scheme is expected to generate an extra £10,000 a year for council coffers. Work to transform the old gym will start as soon as possible.

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