LEIGH Sports Village, which is bidding to be one of the regional centres for the 2012 Olympics, are announcing the completion of the first phase of development today.

An invited audience of councillors and local businessmen will hear speeches from Leigh MP and Chief Secretary to the Treasury, Andy Burnham and fellow North West MP James Purnell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The Mayor, Cllr John O'Brien, will also address the audience.

Sports loving Mr Burnham will then officially open' phase 1 by taking part in the inaugural 4 x 100 m relay on the new running track with children from Christ Church CE Primary School, Pennington.

Leigh Sports Village at Pennington Park, a joint venture between local developers Greenbank and Wigan MBC, along with Wigan and Leigh College, will be one of the biggest venues of its type outside London. When completed, it will provide the North West with another premier sporting venue.

Work on the £83M project began in 2006. The first phase of the development includes a new Sixth form college, a new clubhouse and playing pitches for Leigh East ARFLC and a state-of-the-art athletics track for Leigh Harriers.

A 10,000-seater sports stadium for Leigh Centurions RLFC and Leigh RMI FC; an indoor sports centre; a public swimming pool and a 135 room hotel are all due for completion in early 2008.

Chris Baybutt, Managing Director of Greenbank Partnerships said: "Leigh Sports Village is a fantastic example of how the public and private sectors can work together for the benefit of the whole community. We are delighted to be playing an important part in creating this unique and exciting new facility for the people of Leigh and the north west region."