FUNDING has been awarded to revamp a BMX track in Lyme Regis.

West Dorset District Council's leisure development fund has awarded £4,000 to Lyme Regis Town Council to go towards the facility at the Anning Road play park.

The town council is investing £100,000 for the new play park to be constructed - along with a further £20,000 needed to improve the BMX track.

Operations manager at Lyme Regis Town Council, Elliott Herbert said: “The town council is delighted to hear its application to the district council’s Leisure Development Fund has been successful.

“We applied for £4,000 to help fund the revamp of the BMX track in Anning Road playing field and provide a good quality facility for young people in our town.

“There is a growing interest in BMX since its appearance as a medal sport in the Olympics, so the council is keen to nurture this interest and also help promote healthy lifestyles.

“Revamping the BMX track will compliment the £100,000 refurbishment of the play park and help make the playing field a much more appealing facility for the young people of our town.”

Grants are available for projects costing £1,000 or more with awards normally based upon 20 percent of the estimated cost, up to a maximum of £5,000.

Nick Thornley, head of economy, leisure and tourism at West Dorset District Council, said: “The district council is pleased to be able to provide funding to support the BMX track in Lyme Regis.

“The Leisure Development Fund is able to support many community initiatives each year and new facilities such as this are very well used by local people.”

The funding has been welcomed by Cllr Daryl Turner, who represents Lyme Regis at town, district and county level.

Cllr Turner believes that leisure facilities are going to become increasingly important for youngsters in the town.

"I'm more than happy that this funding has been awarded" he said.

"It's crucial that young people in this town have good facilities for leisure. Health and fitness are going to become increasingly important and it is one of the areas that we really need to enhance.

"It's always good for the town council to ask. I knew we are in a period of austerity, but there is still funding out there.

"I'm glad the town council has been able to take advantage of the available funding."