Wigan International Pool and Howe Bridge Sports Centre, operated by Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, have both been awarded Quest status, the quality standard award for sports and leisure facilities in the UK.

Howe Bridge achieved a score of 68 per cent and Wigan International Pool scored 66 per cent.

Wigan International Pool manager Stephen Colclough said: “We are going through a lot of changes at Wigan Pool at the moment so it especially pleasing that we achieved the Quest accreditation.

“I’m really proud that all of our staff played a role in achieving this award. The plans for a new swimming pool are on the horizon and these are exciting times for us all. Each member of the team remains focused on providing excellent customer service to our users in the run up to the new facility opening.”

Howe Bridge Sports Centre Manager Denise Grundy added: “We are delighted to have achieved Quest status; this puts us among an elite group of sports centres nationwide to achieve the award. We have spent years building a great reputation at Howe Bridge and have harnessed good relations with all of our customers; this is reflected in the score we achieved. I would like to thank everyone who was involved in the process and hope this will help us to continue to provide excellent service to our visitors.”

Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust now manages six Active Life sports centres with Quest status. The other centres with Quest status are Robin Park Arena, Ashton Leisure Centre, Tyldesley Pool and Hindley Pool.

Photograph: Wigan International Pool – (l to r) Emma McDougall (Recreation Assistant), Stephen Colclough (Centre Manager), Neil Kenyon (Duty Manager), Bill Andrews (Technical Assistant) and Martin Smith (Fitness Instructor).