SUNDERLAND Football Club has awarded the contract to build its Academy of Light to Tolent Construction, of Gateshead.

Work on the site, at Whitburn, should get under way in November.

The academy includes a gymnasium, fitness area, swimming pool, medical and rehabilitation centre and changing facilities.

Sunderland chairman Bob Murray said: When looking for a contractor we were determined to appoint a leading company in the field of leisure construction and Tolent have a proven track record which is second to none."