South Ribble Borough Council (SRBC), Lancashire County Council and Priory Sports and Technology College in Penwortham have reached a deal to secure the future of a local leisure facility.

Penwortham Priory Leisure Centre is now set to undergo an extensive revamp after the three parties worked to resolve child protection concerns raised by the college in relation to the dual-use complex. A new car park with independent access will be created to enable the public to use the centre during school hours, while existing tennis courts will turned into a multi-use games area for use by both the school and the centre.

Elsewhere, an enhanced fitness suite and new dryside changing facilities are to be included as part of the refurbishment programme, which is due to start in September. SRBC cabinet member with responsibility for regeneration, leisure and healthy communities, Phil Smith, said: "We now have an exciting set of plans to improve the facilities, at a time when many local authorities are heavily cutting their leisure services."

Geoff Chetwood, chair of governors at Priory Sports and Technology College, added: "I hope that this will lead to much better arrangements on site, which ultimately benefit both the school and wider community who use the leisure facilities."