Strensall & Towthorpe Sports Association has got the green light for a £300,000 project, a vital boost to sports activities in the area.

Work on a new sports pavillion and floodlit games area starts this month with £207,208 award from the Sport England Lottery Fund and a £100,000 donations from Strensall-based Hogg the Builder.

Floodlighting for three existing tennis courts is also to be built.

Other groups who have helped get the project off the ground include Strensall Parish Council, City of York Council, the British Tennis Association and Lightly & Lightly of Clifton Moor, who will manage the 10-month construction project.

Charles Smethurst, who co-ordinated the project for Strensall & Towthorpe Sports Association, which was formed 11 years ago, said: "We've been working towards installing these facilities for some time, so when we heard that the lottery application had been successful and that we could actually get started, we are absolutely delighted."

Philip Thorpe, chairman of the parish council, said: "The association has worked very hard over the past months to secure a grant."

Potential players, coaches, organisers and officials who would like to get involved with the association can contact Judith Williams on 01904 449512 for more information.

Updated: 10:53 Wednesday, January 17, 2001