AN all weather leisure facility has been temporarily closed due to a dangerously slippy surface.

Local residents had feared that the pitch, which is based at the Horwich Leisure Centre in Victoria Road, was being closed permanently but Bolton Community Trust has moved to allay such fears.

The trust assumed responsibility for the facility from Bolton Council some years ago and work with Serco, the managing agent, to keep it viable.

Fears were expressed over the safety of the pitch after an “excessively slippy film” was seen on the playing surface.

A spokesman for Bolton Community Trust said: “Despite regular maintenance on the facility this film appeared and was considered dangerous for those using it.

“We closed the pitch for health and safety reasons and we have had a special contractor come and advise us on what remedial work needs to be done.”

The trust said that an order has been placed for specialist equipment and it is awaiting news on when that equipment will become available.

The spokesman added: “Contrary to any suggestions that the facility is closing permanently, we would like to assure people that this is not the case, we have no intention of closing it on a permanent basis.

“We want to get the pitch back up and running as soon as possible and the only thing that could affect us time-wise is the cold weather.”

Members of the trust are in the process of trying to re-locate those who currently use the facility to other venues across the borough.