A TOWN is set to spend over a million pounds on upgrading its sports facilities after council bosses gave a new scheme the go-ahead.

A new top-of-the-league sports pitch and community room at the Edisford Sports Complex in Clitheroe will be constructed after Ribble Valley Council's community services committee agreed to spending £1.4million on the overhaul.

Two existing artificial five-a-side pitches and a multi-sports area will also be resurfaced, it has been revealed.

Simon Hore, chairman of the council’s community services committee, said: “This exciting scheme will meet the demand for more and better artificial pitches and contribute significantly to the development of sport and community activity in the borough, by facilitating a range of year-round activities unaffected by the weather.

“The new full-size artificial pitch will be FIFA and World Rugby-accredited and the refurbished area will include two five-a-side pitches, plus a multi-surface area suitable for tennis, netball, cricket, football and hockey.

“We also plan to work with the youth service and police to provide diversionary activities for local young people that will extend beyond football.”

The scheme, which will see £1,150,440 spent on the pitches and £280,000 on the community room, now goes to the council’s policy and finance committee for approval. If successful, construction is scheduled to start in May and be completed in time for the start of the new season in September.