TWO East Lancashire sports centres will be able to open fully Covid-safe thanks to a government grant.

Ribble Valley Council has got £70,000 from the £100million National Leisure Recovery Fund for coronavirus security measures at Roefield Leisure Centre in Clitheroe and the Longridge Community Gym.

The government is to announce shortly whether leisure facilities can reopen to users either on their own or in household groups from April 12 under step two of its pandemic roadmap.

Cllr Ricky Newmark, chair of Ribble Valley Council’s community services committee, said: “Leisure facilities play a vital role in supporting the health of our residents, particularly those living in isolated communities.

“This investment will help Roefield Leisure Centre and Longridge Gym reopen as soon as they get the go-ahead from the government and ensure people can resume the activities they have badly missed."

Ribble Valley Council’s Ribble Valley 3G sports complex, next door to the Roefield Leisure Centre, reopened this week with a new one-way system.

The Clitheroe Castle Junior Park Run is also scheduled to restart from Sunday, April 11.