A £20 MILLION extreme sports facility in Cleator Moor could open as soon as July 2018.

Ambitious plans are said to be making good progress for a state-of-the-art facility, on land near Red Beck Park, which includes an extreme sports centre, hotel and shops.

And in a double boost for the local sporting community, plans for skate park in memory of Whitehaven teenager Kieran Goulding could soon be realised now that the target of £250,000 has almost been reached.

The Whitehaven News can exclusively reveal the extreme sports centre proposals have moved a step closer as funders are now being sought for the project.

Regen North East Copeland, project sponsors, met with potential interested parties at Cleator Moor Civic Hall last week. They heard the project will involve working with Venture Extreme, a company which aims to set up a network of extreme-sports centres.

Bob Metcalfe, of Regen North East Copeland (RNEC), said: "This is a unique facility not just in the UK but internationally."

He said the centre would feature activities such as bouldering, climbing, ice-climbing and canyoning. The site would also house a hotel, cafe and retail developments.

Mr Metcalfe said: "With the best will in the world, if everything works out it will be open in three years time -  in July 2018. That includes building it and fitting it out."

The scheme has the support of Copeland Community Fund, Britain’s Energy Coast, Cumbria Local Enterprise Partnership, and Copeland and Cumbria county councils.

Mr Metcalfe said Copeland Community Fund has supported RNEC financially through the feasability phase. Funding for the development now needs to be secured.

Speaking after last week's meeting with potential partners, Mr Metcalfe said feedback was "positive" although no commitments of funding has yet been made.

"There would be no way that we would expect people to sign up straight away. What we have to do is capture people's imagination and interest. The next step is detailed discussions," he said.

Mike Starkie, mayor of Copeland, and his executive committee, also attended the meeting. He said: "It's a fantastic opportunity for Cleator Moor and Copeland which will fit in with the regeneration that I'm keen to do. The scheme has my full support."

Further individual meetings with potential investors are expected to take place over coming months.

Public meetings are also set to be held and Regen North East Copeland will also be updating Cleator Moor Town Council about the plans in the autumn.

Mr Metcalfe said an option agreement has been made on the land, which is next to the A5086 immediately north of Red Beck Park. This means that the owner cannot sell the land to anyone while the option runs.