VOLUNTEERS have vowed to press on after yobs set fire to a Leigh community centre.

On Monday night arsonists set fire to Butts Bridge Action Group's Butts Street pavilion headquarters, just weeks before it was due to open.

Group spokesman Trevor Harrison told The Journal:"It was arson. Somebody piled wood and stuff against the building, poured petrol over it and set it alight.

"Of course there is no saying the culprits are from the Butts Bridge area, but whoever did this has just blown it all. They have ruined things for themselves and for everyone else.

"The building would have been ready in three weeks, Council workmen were just putting the finishing touches to it. It would have provided facilities for sports users, youth and community groups.

"But we're not giving in. We are battling for the people of that area. Unfortunately we don't have the funds to repair the damage and will have to discuss what happens next with the Council."

Local Cllr Brian Jarvis said:"Whoever has done this is undermining what the user group is trying to do. A question mark must hang over the future of the building."

He pledged to take up the situation with Wigan's Director of Leisure Rodney Hill.

A Council spokesman said:"This is a real blow. Our park rangers had managed to create a considerable local interest in the facilities. Thanks to the thoughtlessness of a tiny minority we are back to square one."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.