A SPORTS club is hoping for a £330,000 lottery 'win' to help fund plans for major improvements.

The East Lancashire Club has put together a £330,000 package which will pay for improved disabled access, better coaching facilities and changes to the clubhouse.

The Blackburn club also wants to demolish its wooden tennis pavilion, introduce floodlighting and turn the squash courts into a multi-use facility.

Club officials have also revealed they have raised £37,000 to add to any Lottery cash.

Talks have been taking place between town hall chiefs and Lottery bosses on the project.

Architect Richard Stirrup, chairman of the Dukes Brow club, has helped put the final package together. He said: "The Lottery people have been in touch with us and because it is such a large package they have asked for additional details.

"We have also held talks with the council and sporting bodies and the early signs are quite encouraging."

Mr Stirrup added: "Our members were consulted about the proposals during the early stages and their views and comments were taken into account.

"The club has been established for a long time and a lot of upgrading work has already been done.

"But we feel that if the work goes ahead it will re-establish the East Lancashire Club as the premier mixed sporting facility in Blackburn."

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