DEPUTY Prime Minister John Prescott was this week urged to give the all-clear for work to begin on Leigh Sports Village.

Leigh MP Andy Burnham yesterday urged ministers from the Office of the Deputy Prime Minister to give the final green light and allow work on the exciting project to get under way.

He has tabled a parliamentary question to the ODPM about the power of sport to regenerate communities and the Leigh MP used it as an opportunity to promote the planned Sports Village.

Following unanimous approval at the local planning inquiry, the project has now been referred to regional planning officials for a decision on whether a more detailed planning inquiry is necessary.

Mr Burnham said: "A decision on the Leigh Sports Village is expected shortly and it is vital that we take every opportunity to push the case for it.

"That's why I have tabled this question in the House. I want to convey to ministers some of the passion that people throughout the Leigh area feel about it and the overwhelming public support it commands."

"At every step of the way, care has been taken to listen to concerns expressed and changes have been made. For that reason, I believe ministers can give it the green light with confidence that things have been done properly."