YOUNG footballers in Highworth will soon have access to modern new changing facility thanks to a cash boost of almost £500,000.

Highworth Junior Football Club will use their £477,631 Football Foundation award to construct a new changing pavilion, housing four team changing rooms, two referee changing rooms and spectator facilities.

In keeping with Foundation policy all facilities will be completely accessible to the disabled.

There are currently no changing areas for the club's six mini soccer teams and five junior teams and with their new facilities the club hope to boost participation levels, particularly amongst girls.

Links have already been established with local schools to increase opportunities for young players and over the next two years the club hope to have started five new teams.

Highworth Junior Football Club chairman Bernard Berry said: "All of the hard work put in by the club has paid off with this wonderful grant from the Foundation, and will benefit the children of Highworth now and for many generations to come."

Peter Lee, the Football Foundation's chief executive, welcomed the cash boost for Highworth.

He said: "Millions have now been invested by the Foundation throughout Wiltshire and the South West and I congratulate Highworth for their hard work and ambition in bringing some of the best facilities in the area to their town.

"All communities deserve the type of facilities that will soon to available in Highworth and we would ask all interested clubs and organisations to contact the Foundation to see how we can help and what funding is available."