The £3 million plus redevelopment historic East Lancashire sports club's pavilion and grounds has been praised by councillors as 'absolutely brilliant'.

The Feniscowles and Pleasington War Memorial Recreation Ground Trust proposals to knock down its existing clubhouse and build a new larger one and create a multi-use games area pitch were approved by Blackburn with Darwen Council planning committee on Thursday,

The scheme - estimated to cost in excess of £3million - would see the relocation of the club's tennis courts and cricket nets, a new groundskeeper's store, the slight repositioning of the junior football pitch and repositioned and upgraded children's playground.

The five-acre complex - known as the 'Fenny Rec' - is on land in Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, given to the public in 1921 as a memorial to 36 local men who died in the First World War.

Ewood Conservative Cllr John Baldwin said: "It's an absolutely brilliant project."

His Labour ward colleague Cllr Jim Casey said: "This is an ambitious plan for an ambitious borough."

Committee chairman Cllr Dave Smith said: "It's a good set up now but these plans are absolutely fantastic, absolutely brilliant."

Council growth boss Cllr Quesir Mahmood said: "It is being improved into a fantastic facility not just for the area but for the wider borough."

The trust already has £350,000 in the bank thanks to a developers contribution from the nearby Sappi Paper Mill housing development and is seeking external grants towards the rest of the cost.

Chair of the Fenny Rec trustees Jane Green told the meeting: "The existing clubhouse 1970's design is neither adequate not comfortable in today's world and the changing facilities are not compliant with todays requirements of the England and Wales Crickett Board or the Football Association.

"The new clubhouse is the major source of income to fund this sporting and recreational facility and with the further increase in the population due to the volume of new houses being built it is imperative that the charity have the new cafe/bar to welcome them, encourage their support in the long term and be spacious and airy enough for a larger number of visitors.

"The playground is currently a very well-worn area which does not have any equipment for children requiring wheelchairs or specialist equipment. The re-siting will allow for a more creative and inclusive space.

"Without these improvements it is hard to see a long term financial future strong enough the maintain this facility.

"It is an ambitious plan designed to benefit the wider community for many years to come."