South Ribble Borough Council has approved the plans, which will see the derelict former Leyland Motors Social and Athletics Club bulldozed, and FX Leisure build a state-of-the-art health and fitness centre in its place.

A spokesman for the Warrington-based gym company said: "We've got the go-ahead and expect the legal process of owning the site to be completed within weeks. The actual demolition will then take place.

"The objective for building the centre is the end of the year, we want the club open for the public at the start of 2009.

"It will be a club of big significance in Leyland, with state-of-the-art facilities."

FX Leisure is buying the clubhouse and three quarters of the cricket field in a £400,000 deal with the Lancashire FC and Leyland Sports Association.

Sport England expressed their concern at the removal of vital cricket facilities, until a deal was brokered to create new pitches, which are almost certain to be at nearby Wellfield Business and Technology College.

Under a section 106 agreement, once FX Leisure start developing the site, they will give £46,000 to the council.

The empty premises on Thurston Road have been repeatedly targeted by yobs after being left to fall into ruin when the cricket club got into financial difficulty.