A LEISURE centre manager in Selby is to retire this month after 30 years of working in the field.

Bob Lancaster, 58, the leisure and cultural services manager at the Abbey Leisure Centre, in Scott Road, first started work at the swimming pool as the deputy manager in 1981, when it was in Selby Park.

Since then, he has moved to Huddersfield and Doncaster, before returning to Selby to be the manager of Abbey Leisure Centre in 1995.

Mr Lancaster said: “I have thoroughly enjoyed living and working in Selby for the last 30 years, but it is time to move on.

“My early retirement coincides with a business opportunity to manage the sports and social facilities at Eggborough power station sports and social club.

“This is an exciting project that I can get my teeth into and hopefully make a success of. The sports and social club has been in decline in recent years and has found itself in a position where it is no longer financially viable.

“My years of experience running sports and leisure facilities will hold me in good stead when developing this project.”

Mr Lancaster’s new company, BL Leisure, will take over the running of the facilities from Wednesday, April 12. The facilities available at Eggborough include a nine-hole golf course, a bowling green, full-size grass football pitch, five-a-side floodlit grass pitch, a cricket pitch, miniature railway, children’s playground and a snooker hall.”

Mr Lancaster said: “Many people are unaware of the facilities that are available to them at Eggborough. I would urge anyone interested in using the facilities to contact me. “Whether you are a sports club looking for a home, a couple who are looking for a wedding venue or an individual who wants to join a golf club, there is something for everyone at Eggborough.”