WEST Coast Skater Hockey Club is celebrating receiving an Awards for All grant to develop the sport in the area.

The aim of the club is to make the sport more accessible to young people and work with sports development officers and schools.

And the group hopes to bring youngsters to a new hockey centre set to open at the end of January at the Wimbourne leisure site.

The centre will be open to all sports but the West Coast club hope roller hockey will be the main user. Blackpool Raiders Hockey Club will also be based there.

The centre will boast a 50m by 25m rink with team benches and penalty boxes, spectator seating and changing rooms. A cafe and shop are also planned.

Club secretary Mick Caunce said: "This is an exciting development for clubs within our region which have been asking for our facility to expand our sport for several years and now we have one of the best in the country."

New players are invited to conatct Mick on 314638 to arrange a taster session. A development programme will be set up and graded skating skills will lead to team training.

The Wasps are current British Champions at under 12 level and have just won the North West Shield at both under 12s and 15s.