LEIGH MP Andy Burnham has called on local people to support a state-of-the-art Sports Village after a model of the development went on show for the first time this week.

Mr Burnham said the £75 million flagship scheme, based on land at Leigh between Marshall Street and Atherleigh Way, would be a massive boost for sport and education in the town.

But the MP has urged people to get behind the scheme, and ensure the Sports Village becomes a reality.

The complex would boast a 10,000 all-seater stadium to be used by Leigh Centurions RL and Leigh RMI; a 400m synthetic athletic track for Leigh Harriers and a new Sixth Form College.

There would be office space and corporate facilities with the new college attracting sports courses, and there would also be leisure and retail facilities.

Mr Burnham said: "It will give the people of Leigh facilities to be proud of -- not only fantastic sports facilities, but great education facilities too.

"Hopefully, the new college will encourage more teenagers to stay on in full time education once they leave school." Leigh Centurions head coach Paul Terzis said: "We deserve to have the best facilities in Leigh and the new Sports Village is something that will not only be beneficial for our sports teams, but would create jobs in the area.

"Leigh is a hotbed for rugby league and our fans deserve to have a stadium that is fit for the Super League."

A formal planning application will go to Wigan Council later this month, with a decision expected next month. Work could start in 2004 and be completed 18 months later.

Planning applications to redevelop sites at Leigh East RL, Leigh Harriers and Howe Bridge will be submitted at the same time as the Sports Village. The scale model of the proposed Sports Village is on display at Leigh Library.

Tommy Sale, the Centurions president, said: "I laid the first sod and last sod at Hilton Park and I'm hoping to be able to lay the first sod at the new stadium."

Leigh RMI manager Mark Patterson hailed the new Sports Village as a different class and said: "The new stadium is something that this football club needs. I'm hoping that it will encourage more supporters to come and watch us."