BOURNEMOUTH’S “Olympic Mayor” wants to leave behind a sporting legacy of better facilities than in the days when he tried to become a professional runner.

Cllr Phil Stanley-Watts will take over as first citizen in May and will make youth sport a priority to mark the London 2012 games.

He once ran for the England cross country team and was the Dorset county steeplechase champion. His best distance was 10km, with times of around 30 minutes.

Cllr Stanley-Watts, a Boscombe resident and councillor, who still runs around 40 miles, said: “I don’t think I had the time to go for it properly, though.

“You have really got to put your heart and soul into it, you have to train for at least four hours a day, and you need sponsorship as well.”

He wants better sports facilities for schools and plans to bring together sports organisations, the council, and the cabinet member for education, Cllr Nicola Greene.

He also would like businesses to offer more sport-related jobs and volunteer posts.

“The sports facilities here are better than in lots of other places. We have also got the best athletics centre in the county at Kings Park,” said Cllr Stanley-Watts.

“But there’s still a lot more investment needed and I would like to see indoor facilities, which gives people the opportunity to train all year round.

“When I was training 20-30 years ago it was very difficult because we didn’t have the facilities.”

Cllr Stanley-Watts also wants to promote healthy living generally with activities for all ages.