A HEADTEACHER believes Leigh Sports Village will bring massive benefits and has thrown his support behind the project.

John Pout, of Westleigh High School, is adamant that sporting and educational benefits will outweigh any concerns people have on the proposed £75million project.

And Mr Pout, who represents Leigh schools on Wigan Borough's sport steering group and is a founder member of the Leigh Sports Development Partnership, said the Sports Village would help the town reduce crime and boost people's health.

He said: "It's about time Leigh had more investment in sports facilities than Wigan. If our school wants to use all-weather for athletics, soccer or any other sport we have to bus our pupils to Wigan. Leigh Sports Village will be the centre of activity for school sport.

"Leigh produces a large number of talented sports people, who seem to have to reach the top by playing away from Leigh. The Sports Village will enable our top sports people to reach the top in Leigh.

"Leigh children deserve a first class 16+ education college in the town. The proposed college facilities as part of the Sports Village complex will provide such a venue.

"In January 2004 we will get all weather pitch with floodlights and fencing. Similar facilities will eventually be installed in most high schools in the borough. These initiatives are aimed at raising the standard of sport for young people in Leigh.

"Leigh suffers from being near the top of the table for juvenile Crime and being near the bottom of the table for health. The Sports Village will help Leigh to reduce crime and boost our health.

"Let us not lose this opportunity to provide all of the people of Leigh with something we can be very proud of."