A football complex which will serve thousands of youngsters is to go ahead after being awarded more than £900,000.

The Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, yesterday announced a funding package of £988,869 to the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Sports Foundation.

The cash will go on a new mini soccer centre, housing 20 pitches and a modern sports pavilion in Newbottle, near Houghton-le-Spring, Wearside.

More than 3,600 junior players are expected to use the facilities, which will also host holiday football programmes and see 40 girls' football teams created.

It will also become the headquarters of the Russell Foster Tyne and Wear Youth Leagues, the biggest youth league in the UK, which has about 10,000 young people on its books.

Work will start on the facilities in the New Year.

Mick Clark, secretary of the Russell Foster Youth Leagues, said: "In an area starved of facilities, this foundation grant is wonderful news.

"I hope everyone will make full use of the centre, but also keep it in a condition for the area to be proud of, thus, remaining a flagship to the country in promoting mini-soccer.