GOVERNMENT minister Stephen Byers visited Leigh where he ran the rule over ideas for a £20m sports complex.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions had been invited by Leigh MP Andy Burnham, president of the Leigh and district Sports Partnership Group, which is behind the community complex and sports stadium scheme.

After visiting the proposed development site on Marshall Street College playing fields Mr Byers said: "Leigh has a very good reputation as far as sports are concerned and I think there is a lot of demand for this type of facility.

"It has been an excellent presentation and a very positive meeting. Although no formal application has yet been put forward I am very keen that my department works closely together with Andy Burnham and the Leigh Sports Partnership at each stage of the process."

Mr Burnham said: "I know people will have a lot of questions about the detail but the important thing was to be open and up front from the start. By doing that, I hope that we will take people with us and help ensure that the plans reflect the wishes of the town."

Sports Partnership chairman Trevor Barton, a former leading Bolton policeman, said: "We seem to have total support for this. There is a real passion about this within our community."