THE entrepreneurs behind the bid for a multi-million-pound sports complex in Middlewich are taking comfort in the fact that plans for an Olympic sized pool in Liverpool have been approved.

Marjory Issatt and Michael Davey of MIDPoint Sports Ltd say they are confident that the approval of the £12million pool, to be based in Picton, will have a positive impact on their own application for a state-of-the-art sports complex in Middlewich.

Speaking to the Guardian after plans for the pool were given the green light, company director Michael Davey said he was not worried that the Liverpool site would negate the need for another Olympic sized pool in the north west.

He said: "As far as we're concerned there is no detriment to MIDPoint Sports Ltd. It won't make our own application any better or worse. We have our own plans for our area."

He said he was positive that MIDPoint would be submitting their plans for the £37million sports complex to Congleton and Vale Royal Borough councils in time for Christmas. He said: "We're confident that we will be able to get it through to planning before Christmas. We've been working hard to make sure that we get the application just right."

The directors of MIDPoint had hoped to submit the planning application for the centre of sports excellence at the Salt Cellar pub site by the end of July, but cited a 'minor setback' as a cause for delay when the application was not put forward.

Miss Issatt and Mr Davey say they are still working on the application to ensure that it meets all requirements for approval.

If the plans are given the go ahead, Middlewich residents could benefit from a 50m training pool and a 25m warm up pool, as well as various leisure and pampering facilities.