MILLIONS of pounds earmarked for Leigh are staying in the bank because of the uncertainty over Xanadu, it has been revealed.

A decision has still to be made on whether the town's share of the £100m coalfields hand-out will be spent on leisure facilities or industy and housing.

And exactly what happens depends on Deputy Prime Minister John Prescott's ruling after the inquiry in to the controversial Xanadu leisure complex plans.

A decision from the Secretary of State for Transport was expected last week but still has not materialised.

Regeneration experts are faced with exciting development alternatives as they decide how best to deal with an expected hefty share of the £100 million pound coalfield communities boost.

The sprawling Bickershaw Colliery site is one of five areas due for revitalisation with a massive five-year funding package.

This week at a conference of the Coalfield Communities Campaign and the North West Development Agency it was revealed Bickershaw will benefit along with Ashton Field at Walkden; Lea Green, St Helens; Cronton, Widnes, and Agecroft.

Conference delegate Cllr Keith Cunliffe from Leigh, a member of the Coalfield Communities Campaign, said: "The council has asked them to hold off for the time being because of Xanadu.

"If it gets the go-ahead, the way the Plank Lane site is developed will be primarily for leisure with golf, extensions to Pennington Flash nature reserve and a Centre Parcs type complex.

"The inclusion of a rail link along the old colliery line is also under consideration.

"If Xanadu doesn't go ahead then the site would be developed for industrial units and housing.

"Bickershaw is one of the biggest sites of those earmarked for a share of this £100 million, I hope it is funded accordingly.

"This area provided a lot of employment in the past. This is again about putting something back in to the community.

"The future is looking bright for Leigh."