BURNLEY residents are being given their say on the future of the borough's sports centres.

Last month Burnley Council revealed plans for a major overhaul of its sports and leisure facilities, which included the closure of some or all of the three main centres and these proposals are now being put out to public consultation.

Over the next two weeks residents will get the chance to look at the options in more detail and put forward their comments at a series of public meetings.

The council drew up the proposals after completing an assessment, which considered how the facilities are currently used, local competition, the condition of the buildings and the potential cost of repairs and maintenance over the next 20 years.

This revealed that it would cost £5.8million over the next five years just to maintain the three main centres -- The Thompson Centre, Gannow pool and Padiham Leisure Centre -- and the annual subsidy of £800,000-a-year for running the centres was expected to increase. Five options were identified, all of which tie in with Lancashire County Council's plans to build five brand-new schools, which would include community leisure facilities.

The difference between the options, however, are the proposals for the existing facilities, which range from refurbishing all three to closing all three and building a new town centre facility.

The council's report states that the option of keeping all three open and carrying out the necessary repairs and refurbishment is not considered to be affordable, because it would not be eligible for external grant-funding or major private sector investment.

But Councillor Barry Guttridge, executive member for leisure, urged the public to have their say. "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for residents to shape the future provision of the sport and leisure. facilities in the borough.

"I would urge everyone to comment on the proposals and make their preferred option known to us.

"This, coupled with the re-development of the secondary schools in the area, gives Burnley the opportunity to ensure that the quality of future leisure provision is second to none."

Residents in Padiham have already stated their opposition to the proposed closure of the town's leisure centre and are gearing up for a battle if the council decides to back that option.

The first public meeting takes place tomorrow at Padiham Town Hall, the next is on Thursday at the Thompson Centre, and the final one is on Tuesday, November 25 at Gannow Community Centre. All three meetings start at 7pm. Comment forms are available at each reception desk.