A COUNCIL has revealed it aims to improve sports facilities in Ferryhill -and redevelop its two main venues.

Ferryhill Town Council has set the development of outdoor sports grounds at the top of its agenda for 2006.

The council hopes to improve both Dean Bank Recreation Park and the former Ferryhill Athletic FC ground for the benefit of residents.

Clerk Jamie Corrigan said: "What we do will ultimately be determined by users and cost but we have said that making the most of the two sites is a priority and will try to make progress in the new year."

Proposals include the building of a large changing facility with eight changing rooms and a recreation and social area aimed at youngsters, which could include a pool table and caf.

The council also wants to create a floodlit all-weather pitch that could be hired out to generate income to pump back into local projects.

And there are also plans to construct about six additional football pitches.

It has not been decided which developments would be located at the park and which at the football ground, which has stood empty for about a decade.

Five years ago, the site was bought at auction by Ferryhill Town Council for £25,000 to ensure it was secured for the residents of the town.

Mr Corrigan said: "We thought it was best to buy the ground when the opportunity arose and secure it for Ferryhill and would develop it when we got a chance.

"We are now looking at taking that forward in the coming year.

"There is a massive unmet demand for football pitches especially, and we want to fulfil that need and support local teams and know it is important for community spirit and the health of residents."

The town council expects to work with Ferryhill Community Partnership and Sedgefield Borough Council to progress the plans and secure funds. It is hoped some cash could come from outside grant bodies.

One of the main groups to benefit from the proposals would be Ferryhill Youth Football, which has 15 teams sharing two fields in the park.