AT least 40 jobs will be created now that a £3m health club in Darlington has been given the go-ahead by the Government.

Plans by Bannatyne Fitness to build a health club at a former bus garage site on Haughton Road were put on hold because it is outside the town centre and goes against the local plan.

The Government called in the application for a public inquiry, but it has now recommended that planning permission is given for the scheme.

The £3m club will provide a swimming pool, lounge bar, aerobics room, gymnasium, crche and hair and beauty salon in a three-storey building with a curved roof. There will also be 99 parking spaces on the landscaped site.

News that that the club had been given the go-ahead was a major boost for Bannatyne Fitness chairman Duncan Bannatyne, who threatened to quit his home town of Darlington after the Government ordered a public inquiry into the fitness centre.

He said he was fed up of trying to bring jobs and investment to the town and getting nowhere.

But a spokesman for the firm said: "The company welcomes the decision of the planning inspector, which was reached after careful consideration of all the facts.

"The inspector clearly agreed with us that the proposal will lead to jobs and substantial improvement to a disused site.

"He further agreed that the jobs will be of high quality and that Darlington has an urgent need for a comprehensive, private health and fitness club."

Work will start on the new club shortly and Bannatyne Fitness hopes it will be ready for opening next year.

Darlington Borough Council, which has always backed the scheme, said it was pleased with the decision.

Council leader John Williams said: "This decision is excellent news both for Darlington people and Bannatyne Fitness.

"The council members were strongly in favour of the development, realising it will create another quality leisure facility in the town, but also create a significant number of new jobs for local people."