This comes after an independent assessment was carried out looking at customer services at leisure facilities across the country.

Leisuresafe certification recognises organisations in sport and leisure that plan and implement a structured approach to health and safety management in accordance with industry good practice.

Facilities across North Lanarkshire were praised for providing "high quality, safe and secure customer services" with Leisuresafe awarding Keir Hardie the highest score in Scotland of 89 per cent.

This is an increase of 22 per cent from its last assessment in 2007 and equal to the Time Capsule in Coatbridge, meaning the two North Lanarkshire facilities are joint second for the whole of the UK, just one per cent behind the Concord Sports Centre and Sheffield City Hall.

Mossend and Holytown councillor Kevin McKeown said: "It is a credit to the staff at the sports centre for the work that they do which has gained Keir Hardie this award."

Meanwhile, the Quest award scheme has awarded Sir Matt Busby Sports Complex in Bellshill highly commended status and the Aquatec in Motherwell commended status.

Full story in February 4 edition of Times & Speaker