UNIVERSITY leaders in Lancashire are set to be approached to help a Pendle sporting dream become a reality for would-be Olympians and elite players.

Fresh talks will be sought by Pendle Council with the University of Central Lancashire (UCLan) over ambitious proposals to build a new £3.5million complex at Holt House Playing Fields, in Colne.

In previous discussions UCLan officials have sign-alled their interest in working with the authority, Colne Football Club and Colne and Nelson Rugby Club at Holt House.

But with a funding gap of £2.8million still to be overcome, councillors in Colne are keen to explore any avenue to create new pitches, changing rooms and training areas there.

Coun Anne Kerrigan, Pendle’s leisure cabinet member, said it was important that the facilities will be of benefit to the entire community.

But she said that, as the London Olympics approach, provisions could also be made for ‘elite athletes’ like Colne’s 22-year-old middle distance runner Laura Finucane.

Coun Kerrigan said: “If we are going to replace a falling-down football club, and rugby club, and encourage participation, we should also be encouraging talented athletes like Laura.”

With the UCLAN campus set to open in Burnley this September, the university would be looking at venues where they could stage sports science degrees in future, she said.

Coun Philip Boyle added: “We should ask UCLan if they have any money to put into this because it would not just turn around Colne, but the whole of Pendle.”

Colin Patten, the council’s parks and leisure manager, told councillors that the local authority was already investing £325,000 in the Holt House project.

“The university situation has come along since we first discussed this,” said Mr Patten.

“The university has expressed an interest in using some of the facilities and we could consult with them again.”

Consultancy firm PMP has been commissioned to draw up a list of possible funding sources for Holt House.