THE dream of a multi-million pound sports stadium and complex has come a major step forward.

If the four major users of the new Leigh Community Stadium - Leigh Centurions, Leigh RMI, Leigh East and Leigh Harriers - give their approval, the scheme will move on to the planning stage, with building beginning in nine months time.

Wigan Council is keen to drive the project forward and the state-of-the-art all-seater stadium could even be built without the sale of Hilton Park which was a central feature of the project.

It has been revealed this week that although RMI want to join the other three sporting organisations in the new stadium, the owners of Hilton Park - Grundy Hill Estates - have stalled on the proposed sale of the land at Hilton Park.

However, there is now a possibility that the scheme could go ahead without the cash generated from the sale of of the old ground. The shortfall would come from the sale of council-owned land involved in the project.

Centurions' chairman Mike Nolan says he is now more convinced than ever that the complex - estimated at around £14 million - will be built on the Marshall Street site.

Plans have moved another step forward following a favourable feasability study. The specialist company which carried out the study has reported back to the council, indicating that the scheme can be a financial success as well as providing top class sporting facilities alongside a hotel and business conference centre.

"The feasability study has been very favourable and I think it has helped the council to make the decision to push on with the scheme," said Mr Nolan.

"All the parties are excited by the report which praises the vision of the scheme, providing the town with a new sports complex as well as a hotel and conference centre. This scheme will provide Leigh with a major economic lift as well as giving everyone who lives here something to be really proud of."