AN emerging sports and fitness venture in Whitefield looks set to double its footprint in the north west.

Olympic athletes Stephen Parry and Adrian Turner, who used to be house-mates in Prestwich, are behind the growing success of Swim!

Their fledgling swim centre, in Warrington, has also already proved to be a hit with learners young and old.

And now the pairing is on the verge of taking their talents to a new site in Manchester Road, Oldham.

Proposals have been submitted to the Greater Manchester Combined Authority by Swim! for a loan to enable the second location and the scheme has been recommended for approval as part of their investment project framework.

Councillors have been told that Swim!, based in Elm Square, Bury New Road is looking for £500,000, to which they will invest £171,000.

In a joint report by GMCA chief executive Eamonn Boylan, Cllr David Molyneux, investment portfolio lead, Paul Dennett, infrastructure portfolio lead and Steve Rumbelow, investment chief executive lead, it is said: "Swim! plan to open a new bespoke learn to swim facility in Oldham in early 2020, delivering 12 jobs and additional capacity for learn to swim requirements in the area.

"The management team has good experience in delivering both the fit-out and operation of the facilities, and also in providing a high quality of service in the learn to swim provision, providing a sound business model to support the expansion into Oldham.

"This provision will support the high-level of demand for these services in the area, and lead to improved health outcomes for children."

Parry, a butterfly Olympic bronze medal winner in Athens and European champion, and Turner, a medley Commonwealth silver and bronze medallist, are also partners in the Total Swimming Group, offering modular pools and award-winning swimming programmes for local authorities nationwide. Their firm was heavily involved in the London 2012 games.