A NEW public sports court has opened at Firs Park, Leigh.

The multi-games area can be used for basketball, five-a-side football and many other activities.

The £68,000 facility, which opened at the weekend, is the result of a partnership between Wigan Council and the Park Users Group, which spoke with young people and recognised the need for better equipment. Local firm Patak Spices was also involved, sponsoring youth work and coaching.

Lord Peter Smith, Leader of Wigan Council, said: "The development of the court is an excellent example of partnership between the community and the council to provide good facilities."

The area is the first in a series of planned improvements at the park. The entrance gates have already been improved and floodlighting will be installed in the autumn.

Brenda Worsford, chairman of the Firs Park User Group, said: "We now feel, with four years of successful improvement, that we can reach our other goals. The first of these is to light the two main pathways through the park."