A £1.3m boost will be given to Chorley's All Season's Leisure Centre and Clayton Green Sports Centre following the signing of a 15-year contract to run two sites by a private firm.

Chorley Borough Council has signed a new contract with Community Leisure Services, (CLS) to manage both the centres on their behalf.

The opportunity was advertised nationally and the contract was won by CLS, which has run the centres for the last five years.

The work at All Seasons will include:

oMore than £150,000 of new state-of-the-art fitness equipment as part of plans to move the gym at All Seasons to the ground floor and create more than 70 fitness stations.

oA new dance studio for 30 people.

oA new sauna and steam room facility.

oA new crche.

oA new changing village for the swimming pool.

oNew lockers.

oRenovation of the 'dry' side changing rooms.

oA new reception area including a snack bar.

The work at Clayton Green will include:

oAn extension providing a soft-play facility.

oA new sauna and steam room.

oNew changing rooms.

Councillor Cath Hoyle, Chorley's executive member for life and leisure, said: "The demand for good quality, value-for-money fitness facilities is growing rapidly as people recognise the importance of health and fitness in their lives.

"We hope the improvement programme will allow all users to benefit by working towards a healthier lifestyle."

The contract does not include Coppull Leisure Centre and Brinscall Baths as the council is considering other ways of managing these facilities.

This could mean involving local communities, which would lower costs and provide opportunities to apply for funding.

CLS will continue to run Brinscall Swimming Pool and Coppull Community Leisure Centre for two to three years while the council looks at future options.

Jamie Carson, head of leisure services, denied there was any threat to the sites. He said: "We are investigating the potential for community management at these sites."