It used to be the jewel in the crown for the local authority, a leisure and educational facility right in the heart of Town, thriving and always busy with visitors and children.

These days, through lots of reasons, it paints a very sorry picture indeed when compared back to its former glory days.

I took a walk around the overgrown and dilapidated pathways, some blocked off now with builders boarding's and metal anti-vandal protection and I stood there and wondered where it all went wrong.

Back in 1986 it was opened by none other than the Queen herself, I wonder what she would make of it all?

Other areas in the close vicinity seem to have had the Investment and the overhaul, a quick look back towards the Trencherfield Mill area tells you that. It's clean and bright facade is testament to the money invested in it's future.

However, the other side of the canal paints a very different and depressing story. The once legendary Wigan Pier is falling to pieces and the buildings are derelict and have trees growing out of their gutters. It's a tragic sight.

The once solid and well maintained fencing is old and rotten and the buildings are left to rack and ruin. Investment goes on around the area, the new car park and offices are a massive contrast to the despair on the other side of the canal.

Is there hope for a revival, is there hope for more investment and a chance to once again have this part of town cleaned up and vibrant - there were plans announced in 2015 that the area was being transformed in a joint venture between developers, the Canal Trust and the Council, but progress has been slow, very slow.

However, I remain optimistic that eventually, with the right kind of effort and determination, this area of Wigan can once again become something that the town can be proud of.