SOCCER legend Sir Bobby Charlton was on the ball to launch a £1.5 million sports centre which was partly paid for by a local campaign.

The former Manchester United and England star unveiled a plaque at the West Craven Sports Centre, Barnoldswick, in front of an invited audience of 200 guests.

The new centre is an extension to the existing West Craven Pool, and includes a multi-purpose sports hall, fitness centre, spectator area and learner pool.

It will operate on a dual-use basis with schoolchildren from West Craven using it during school time and the general public using it in the evenings and during the day in school holidays.

A cheque for £1,012,100 from the Lottery Sports Council, along with a £15,000 cheque which was gathered by the local fund-raising campaign, was handed over.

Other money came from Pendle Council, the Rural Development Commission, local parish councils and West Craven High School.

An open day was held to allow local people to see the facilities they had helped pay for and the centre opens for business tomorrow.

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