A WORKING group is to be set up to thrash out the future of a crisis-hit sports centre.

Ribble Valley councillors took the step after hearing an agreement to run Longridge Sports Centre - drawn up between the borough council and Longridge High School - had become untenable.

A dual use agreement signed by both parties after the sports centre was built in 1979 means the school uses the facilities in term time, while the centre is open to the public in out-of-school hours.

Ribble Valley Council has paid out nearly £1.6million in support costs over the last 10 years. But in a report for its community committee, officers suggested members withdraw from the operation or draw up a new management agreement.

It stated that the centre's daily operations were hampered by a damaged artificial pitch and leaky sports hall roof, which have become health hazards. And they suggested its running could be affected by a future community learning facilities near its car park, and an extension to a school dining room, neither of which involved consultation with the authority.

Councillors were also told pupils used the sports hall when it was raining, described as an almost unprecedented use of council sports facilities. Officers said the situation is compounded by the fact people have inquired about using a new leisure centre at nearby St Cecilia's High School.

Liberal Democrat, Coun Graham Sowter, told the meeting - attended by headteacher Alan Lewis - that the council had to "learn lessons."

"I must stress that the working party should not launch a witchhunt to find who was to blame but should help the council avoid similar mistakes," he said.

Councillors agreed the current agreement was "unsatisfactory to both sides" and delegated a working group comprising officers and members to find a solution with "a great sense of urgency."

The group will report to the committee in three to six months with a decision on what path the council should take.