TOM Lancashire is philosophical about the doubts which have emerged over the staging of the Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

Delays in getting the athletes village ready in time for the start of the Games on October 3 have sparked fears the whole event could be scrapped.

Officials from some of the teams due to take part in India have described the athletes’ accommodation as “unsafe and unfit for human habitation”.

Delhi officials have given assurances the Games will go ahead.

In the meantime, Bolton’s star middle distance runner Lancashire – one of a number of local athletes due to compete in Delhi – is concentrating only on performing on the track.

“Unless I’m told the Games are not going ahead I’ll continue doing what I’m doing and getting ready for the Games,” said Britain’s number one 1500m star. “All I can do is prepare myself to compete and that’s what I’m focused on. I’m looking forward to competing in Delhi.”

The 25-year-old from Bromley Cross has been to the Olympic Games, World Championships and European Championships in the last three seasons, and this will be his first Commonwealth Games.

He is due to fly out to Delhi on October 1, two days before the Games are due to start.

His team’s organising body, Team England, say they are “optimistic”

about competing but believe urgent work still needs to be done.

Yesterday, after a bridge next to the main stadium collapsed, injuring up to 23 constructors, Lalit Bhanot, the secretary general of the organising committee, said he had no doubts that the show would go on. He said: “The situation is under control. We have started work in the 32 towers (where the athletes will be housed) and will complete it before the arrival of the athletes.

“We have developed a world class village, with a great international zone, excellent sports facilities that are hardly provided in games villages elsewhere and a superb dining hall. The venues are in the best of condition to conduct the Games and the issues around the village will not affect the Games.”