AUDIT bosses have given Shakerley Community Centre a clean bill of financial health.

Following an extensive probe, reported exclusively in The Journal, Wigan Council's internal audit department says there has been no misappropriation of funds for personal gain as had been alleged.

And yesterday, Cllr Evelyne Smith said all the centre's books had been returned "and we're up and running for the community".

The internal auditors began investigating affairs at Shakerley in mid-March after receiving a letter of complaint.

Yesterday a statement from the auditors said their investigation was near completion "and will conclude that there has been no evidence of any misappropriation of funds".

It added: "As with many voluntary organisations there are areas where improvement to financial proceedures can be made and so the council will be working with the centre management to achieve this."

CO-OPERATIVE Party boss Malcolm Kennedy, who spoke out in support of Labour MP-hopeful Mark Hale after the council computer scandal broke, has left his job.

London HQ declined to talk to The Journal yesterday about Mr Kennedy, who has been on a 'prolonged holiday'.

"A statement will be issued next week," a spokesman said.