VOLUNTARY sports clubs are moving closer towards receiving extra cash, thanks to two council-run sports projects.

In Great Harwood two junior soccer clubs, Great Harwood Rovers, and Great Harwood Town, are working with the council to improve soccer pitches, changing areas and training facilities at the showground on Lyndon Field site and Memorial Playing Field.

The two clubs support more 350 children in developing their interest in soccer. The council aims to work with young people and their families to make environmental improvements to the two sites. If there is greater community appreciation of these open spaces, they will remain accessible to the whole community. The other development at Thorneyholme Road, Accrington, focuses on a new indoor cricket hall which will accommodate community use, new changing rooms for public use at Highams Playing Fields, improved parking and new children's play areas.

The council intends to support the project with technical advice and other resources. Joint management of the cricket ground and Highams Playing Fields will trigger resources to allow the club to attract lottery funding in a similar way to the Great Harwood project.

The schemes, if successful in winning lottery money will provide benefits to the clubs and broader community. Open spaces will be improved and will be even more accessible to the community.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.