An abandoned leisure centre at the centre of legal wrangling for eight years may be given a new life as a football and sporting academy if MP Tracey Crouch has her way.

The Chatham and Aylesford MP, pictured left, is a qualified Football Association coach and recently spoke to an FA official about Buckmore Park, Chatham, which closed to the public in 2003.

The 260-acre site was developed by the Scouts who have a long lease on the land.

They still use it for camping, but a leisure centre and swimming pool built for £20 million, is a sorry sight.

Two Scout companies set up to manage the property went bust.

Former landowners the Rochester Bridge Trust sold it to Chatham-based Avondale South East, a company set up by Avondale Environmental Services.

But Lloyds TSB called administrators into Avondale South East to sort out the complex web of financial issues.

A developer is working with Tonbridge and Malling council to come up with a new project for the site while the Scouts would retain woodland for camping.

Housing, a retirement village and hotel have all been mentioned.

Buckmore Karting Circuit is a sub-tenant of the Scouts and is hoping to expand the John Surtees-owned track when the legal problems are sorted out.

Ms Crouch is keen to restore it for public use as a sports or soccer academy.

"It looks so forlorn," she said. "Being slap-bang in the middle of the county, it would provide a good county facility but I wouldn't want it to just be for football.

"I really do see it could be a major leisure venue and could include all sorts of sporting activities."

A source said the legal situation was progressing. "It's extremely close. Once everything is legally settled, we go to the planners."