BLACKBURN Rugby Club is one of eight projects across the North West to share in a £3 million handout from the National Lottery Sports Fund.

The club, voted Sports Club of the Year by Blackburn's Sports Council, has been awarded £353,839 under the Priority Areas Initiative.

The funding will go towards costs of £393,155 in order to purchase an adjacent piece of land to develop two new pitches as well as upgrade the standard of the existing three pitches.

Former club president and captain, Ken Woolley, who has been responsible for putting the application together said he was delighted with the news.

He said: "I would like to thank Blackburn Borough Council and the Rugby Union for their assistance in helping us obtain the funding. Our main priority is to develop and encourage the youngster of Blackburn to take up the sport."

The club, whose first team compete in Courage League North West One, has four senior teams, Colts and junior rugby sides. But their could be a welcome addition.

Mr Woolley added: "The money will also go towards building two women's changing rooms because we are keen in attracting women to take up the sport."

And with plans for new fitness and treatment rooms and a new members' lounge in the pipeline, Mr Woolley admitted there are exciting times ahead for the club.

He said: "We would like to think that once work in completed, Blackburn Rugby Club could have some of the finest facilities in Lancashire which is very positive for the area."

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