AN MP has backed a football club's plans to regenerate a playing field and make it fit to be used by future generations.

Horwich RMI Junior Football Club recently revealed its proposal to combine the four small football pitches at Green Lane Playing Fields and create two large 11-a-side pitches.

The work would also aim to solve some of the flooding issues that have plagued the site for some years.

Bolton West MP Chris Green recently met with club members at Green Lane to talk about the proposals and gave them his full backing.

He said: "I think it is a fantastic idea to bring the playing fields' football pitches closer to the community.

"They do need some funding to further improve the facilities. I am really enthusiastic about the potential there to get more children playing football.

"We need to protect these green spaces. We have lost so much around Horwich so this needs protecting for today's children and future generations.

"Some of the pitches are unsuitable for use because of waterlogging.

"When it is done we will have more full size 11-a-side pitches available by getting rid of the concrete strips."

The proposals from the football club came after members of Horwich Town Council decided to pursue the possibility of the fields coming back under the town council's control.

They are currently managed by Bolton Council.

Mr Green added: "I think more powers and more responsibility needs to be given to town councils to make it really representative of local people.

"The decisions should be made as close to the people as possible. So more power to Horwich Town Council."

The football club's secretary Stewart Burke presented the idea to the town council in April and said they wanted to create a "top class" facility.

He said: "We are really pleased to have the backing of our local MP.

"Hopefully he can add weight to our proposals and plans to help Horwich keep some of our green space and not only that, improve it.

"There are lots of housing plans for the town — the Loco Works, college site, golf course, part of Green Lane itself and the old aerospace site.

"All we want to do is ensure that no more recreational land is lost. If Bolton Council agrees to let Horwich Town Council have the land back in their hands then it is a start."

He also suggested that a Community Asset Transfer could be a possible option as well.

The pitches would also be created in a way that would enable them to be adapted for other sports.

Mr Burke made clear that he did not want to monopolise the facility but to revamp it for the whole town.

The pitches are currently only used by the football club, occasionally by Horwich Rounders and by St Mary's Junior Football Club.

Mr Burke said Horwich RMI Juniors does not have a dedicated base, holding training at Green lane and playing some games at Rivington and Blackrod High School.