PLANS for a new community building at Welland Sports Fields are near to becoming a reality.

Welland Juniors FC and Welland Parish Council are joining forces on the project to build a much-needed clubhouse at the pitches, with changing facilities, toilets, kitchens and a meeting room.

Parish clerk David Sharp said the building was badly needed, with clubs using the facilities currently changing in a portacabin and crossing a busy road to reach the nearest toilets.

"It's much needed for sports teams, and hopefully it will allow us to use the fields for other events which we have not been able to in the past," he said.

"For example schools would be able to hold their sports days there, and it would be very good for the community."

With £70,000 funding already secured from Worcestershire County Council's FLOSS (Funding Lots of Stuff) scheme, the parish council has applied for planning permission to get the project underway.

It also hopes to secure additional funding from the Football Association.

Mr Sharp would like the building to be in place sometime during the 2007-8 football season.

"We would like to go ahead with this as soon as possible," he said.

"There is enough money in place to get the initial structure up, and the extra funding would pay for the niceties such as painting and decorating."

Welland Juniors has more than 250 youngsters aged 5-18 on its books, and uses the playing fields for training on Saturdays and match-days on Sundays.