The £30m scheme will transform 50 acres of a former landfill site to provide a community sports village complete with pools, sports hall, health and fitness suite, football pitches, library, health centre and a Diploma Centre for 14-19 year olds.

Bob Merriman, managing director of Galliford Try Construction North said: “The award of this exciting regeneration project underlines our position as the leading construction company delivering across the leisure, health and well being sectors in the North West.

“We look forward to working in partnership with the council and their stakeholders to bring world class leisure and community health facilities to the people of Orford and the wider Warrington community.”

The development is funded by a range of partners including the Northwest Regional Development Agency, Sport England North West Region, the Football Foundation and the Big Lottery Fund.

It is scheduled to open in early 2012 and expected to attract two million visitors each year.