SPORTS and culture services in Burnley could be turned into a charitable leisure trust.

The organisation would take over the running of St Peter’s and Padiham leisure centres, the Mechanics Theatre, and sport and play, arts and cultural, and healthy lifestyles work from April. Its main objective would be to promote the health and wellbeing.

Coun John Harbour, executive member for leisure and culture, said transferring services would bring benefits He said: “Burnley has some of the best leisure facilities in Lancashire.

“Creating Burnley Leisure will ensure that this remains the case and that all our residents continue to receive high-quality leisure services.

“We are committed to ensuring that Burnley Leisure will be a success and continue to provide excellent services.

“This is a very exciting development for leisure and culture services in our borough and people who use those services will see the benefits.”

The council’s executive, which meets on February, 17 is asked to recommend that the full council approve the creation of Burnley Leisure.