AMATEUR leagues' chiefs have welcomed a think-tank report calling for Burnley's major Prairie Sports Fields to be kept in public ownership.

A specially-commissioned consultants' report exploded the myth that Burnley had a surplus of soccer and other sports pitches and called for new investment and development by Burnley council.

The findings of the study were welcomed when they were unveiled at a special town hall presentation -- particularly by soccer chiefs who had raised a 2,500-name petition calling on the council not to hand over the Prairie for private use.

Their protests triggered the study -- and now looks likely to reverse the council decision to declare the Prairie surplus to requirements.

Council recreation vice-chairman Coun Tony Lambert described the report -- jointly commissioned by Burnley and Pendle councils and Sport England -- as excellent and had been welcomed by the 30 representatives of local leagues represented at the meeting.

"There was no dissent -- it was what we all wanted really and our aim now is to go forward together."

He added: "If we are united , we can bid for funding to make the necessary improvements."

The study found that while there was a theoretical surplus in soccer pitches, many were of poor quality and frequently in poor condition. There was a large shortage of junior soccer pitches and poor changing facilities limited playing capacity, particularly for female players, the report states.

The report calls for no reduction in pitch provision and recommends keeping the Prairie in public ownership.

It says the provision of junior pitches should be addressed as a priority and changing facilities should be improved through a planned programme of maintenance and investment.

The provision of pitches for minority sports should also be a priority.