DEVELOPMENT work to build community sports facilities in Wotton-under-Edge has at long last begun.

Recent support from Renishaw founder Sir David McMurtry has enabled the Wotton Community Sports Foundation (WCSF) to begin the transformation of their New Road site into a thriving recreation area.

The group was set up in 1998 to establish outdoor sports facilities in the town and has been carrying out landscaping work on the site over the past year in preparation for the addition of two sports pitches.

WCSF signed the contract with local construction firm Swinhay Ltd on Friday, April 12 and machinery started heading onto the site on Monday.

It is expected that the first stage of the development – building two large artificial pitches – will be complete by September.

WCSF chairman Barnaby Beere said he was thrilled they had started work.

"We’re very happy to be starting at last," he said. "We know the people of Wotton and the surrounding areas have waited a long time for this.

"It has taken a long time and an enormous amount of work, but we are really pleased that we will soon be able to provide a full-sized, flood lit, artificial hockey pitch, and a floodlit 3G pitch for football and rugby training."

WCSF is working closely with neighbouring Katharine Lady Berkeley’s School on the development.

Mr Beere added: "The planned Skate and BMX area has by no means been forgotten and funding is currently being applied for separately to top up the funds already in hand for this much needed part of the project."

For further information or to see how you can help continue the work of the Wotton Community Sports Foundation, please contact Barnaby Beere on 07894 207780 or beere.mail@tesco.net