A £2MILLION ‘sports hub’ could be created to help improve public health and increase the number of young people taking part in exercise.

Accrington Stanley Community Trust (ASCT) will work with Hyndburn Council to come up with a proposal for the community sports hub.

So far two sites have been identified as the possible location for the hub they include Higham Playing Fields in Thorneyholme Road, Accrington and Livingstone Road Playing Fields, next to the Wham Stadium.

The decision to move forward with discussions for the project was rubber stamped at a council cabinet meeting on Wednesday.

Cllr Miles Parkinson, leader of Hyndburn Council, said the facility would be goods news for everyone in the area.

He said: “The facility for Hyndburn will be something residents can be proud of for 20 years plus.

“Anytime time investment comes into Accrington it is good news for sure. It is good to see investment into grass roots funds for the area.”

The facilities which make up the hub would include a number of outdoor grass and all weather sports pitches, and a community building which contains offices, coach education areas and a gym facility.

Cllr Ken Moss, head of education leisure and arts on the council, said: “We’ve had a request to try and encourage the head of parks and cemeteries to work with the trust to start up a community sports hub in Hyndburn.

“They have put a considerable amount of funds on the table up front.”

ASCT has received in principle funding from the Premier League and Accrington Stanley FC, as well as having access to funding of their own, which add up to £1.5million. The total estimated cost is £2million and the remaining amount would be funded from other sources.

Cllr Tony Dobson said: “The project has got to be welcome for Hyndburn to have such a significant amount of money put in.”

Councillors were told the objectives of the sports hub was ‘to promote community participation in healthy recreation’ and ‘advance the physical education of young people in Lancashire’, alongside promoting football and social togetherness. A feasibility study will now be carried out by ASCT and they will consult with existing users of the site and other sporting communities and leagues in Hyndburn as they look to select a site to develop.

Once the study has been completed the charity will present its findings at a future cabinet meeting as it looks to move ahead with the project.