LEIGH'S multi-million pound sports stadium and complex is expected to take another major step forward this week.

If the four major users of the new Community Stadium - Leigh Centurions, Leigh RMI, Leigh East and Leigh Harriers - give their approval, the scheme will move on to the planning stage, with a building start scheduled for about nine months time.

Wigan Council is keen to drive the project forward and the state-of-the-art all-seater stadium could even be built without the sale of Hilton Park which was a central feature of the project.

It has been revealed this week that although RMI want to join the other three sporting organisations in the new stadium, the owners of Hilton Park - Grundy Hill Estates - have stalled on the proposed sale of the land at Hilton Park.

However, there is now a possibility that the scheme could go ahead without the cash generated from the sale of Hilton Park. The shortfall would come from the sale of Council-owned land involved in the project.

Centurions' chairman Mike Nolan says he is now more convinced than ever that the complex - estimated at around £14m - will be built on the Marshall Street site.

Plans have moved another step forward following a favourable feasability study. The specialist company who carried out the study have reported back to the Council, indicating that the scheme can be a financial success as well as providing top class sporting facilities alongside a hotel and business conference centre.

"The feasability study has been very favourable and I think it has helped the Council to make the decision to push on with the scheme," says Mr Nolan.

"All the schemes' partners have already agreed to the scheme in principle. Now we'll be meeting to decide when we put the plans into the Council for consideration. If everything goes through the planning process with a hitch, such as a public enquiry, then the construction could start in something like nine months time and be ready for use towards the end of 2004.

"All the parties are excited by the feasability report which praises the vision of the scheme, providing the town with a new sports complex as well as other income-generating facilities such as a hotel and conference centre. This scheme will provide Leigh with a major economic lift as well as giving everyone who lives here something to be really proud of."