A VOLUNTEER group based at a Blackburn mosque has taken over Audley Sports and Community Centre.

The leisure hub will be run by the Jamia Ghosia Association, which is based at Chester Street Mosque.

It was one of several groups that applied to Blackburn with Darwen Council to take on the centre and was chosen following a lengthy process.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The move follows the decision by the borough to transfer the management of several community centres because of government budget cuts and initially dismayed users when announced in June.

The association has said it plans to continue the services currently on offer at the centre and will use the facilities to help ‘enrich the lives of the community’.

Mir Zaman, chairman of the association’s management committee, said: “We would like to thank the council for giving us this opportunity.

“We are committed to the long-term sustainable future of Audley Sports and Community Centre for the local and wider community.

“Our vision is to engage with residents living in the surrounding areas to become part of a successful active community.”

Council leisure boss Cllr Damian Talbot, said: “Residents told us that the centre is somewhere that they really value so we’re delighted to be working with the Jamia Ghosia Association to secure the centre’s future.

“Their application demonstrated that they have the enthusiasm and commitment to build on what the centre already offers and put the community at the heart of everything they do.

“I would appeal now to residents to do everything they can to support the association and to help make the scheme a success.”

Anybody interested in volunteering should contact info@audleycentre.co.uk.

Council staff given notice in July could be employed by the new management.

The association, which will take over the centre in January, also manages the Jamia Ghosia Mosque in Chester Street.