PENDLE Council has agreed to commit £18,000 from its capital programme to fund the development of a games area for Colne.

The multi-use site would be created at the King George V Playing Fields, in Skipton Road, which is owned by the council.

It is estimated that the total cost of a typical multi-use games area would be in the region of £44,000.

Colin Patten, service manager for parks, cemeteries and outdoor recreation, said: "There are no facilities of this type within the Colne area and there has been strong public interest in support of a development of this nature within Colne.

"Using the experience gained from multi-use games areas situated within other parts of the borough a facility such as this would be extremely popular and very well used if available on King George V."

Pendle Council's contribution would go towards the first phase of the project, which would involve the laying of the hard surface, including court markings, for five-a-side football and basketball.

Councillor Sharon Davies, vice-chairman of the Colne Committee, said the games area was a much needed facility.

She said: "There have been one or two problems with older children congregating in that area close to the recently refurbished playground aimed at younger children.

"This is clearly a sensible solution to give the youths something else to do and give the playground back to the children."

An extra £15,000 would be needed to install a combination of football and basketball goals and £13,000 towards creating two metre high rebound panel fencing.

If the outstanding money can be secured, the remaining works, referred to as phase two, could start in the new financial year.

Councillors at the Colne and District Committee agreed that the Community Safety Partnership will be asked to make a donation.