MALVERN is set to get some of the best outdoor basketball facilities in the country following a successful campaign by two enthusiasts of the sport.

Jon May and Tom Bennett launched their Malvern Hoops campaign in May 2016 after they found that the facilities for basketball in the town were in poor condition and totally inadequate to meet interest in this fast-growing sport.

And at this month's meeting of Malvern Town Council, members voted unanimously to devote up to £18,000 on the project.

The money will be added to £50,000 from Section 106 money, given to Malvern Hills District Council by developers as a condition of having their planning applications approved, and £5,000 raised by the campaign itself.

The facilities will be at Victoria Park, Malvern Link, and will be managed and maintained by the town council.

Mr May described the news as "fantastic" and said: "We are absolutely thrilled with the outcome and can't thank the council enough for supporting our campaign.

"They will in fact be some of the most impressive outdoor basketball facilities in the entire country. We are hoping that these courts will set an entirely new standard for outdoor basketball facilities in the UK.

"Recent surveys showed that basketball is now the second highest participation sport amongst 11 to 15- year-olds and there is now a growing number of woman playing basketball."

Mr May and Mr Bennett, who are both passionate about basketball and have links to the Worcester Wolves, have been campaigning tirelessly while putting together proposals for the facilities in their own time.

It is proposed to make the new courts available for all age groups, families, clubs, wheelchair users and more, without vying for time with other sports.

The project also allows for the improvement of netball facilities and will fund netball hoops on the courts.