Plans for Skelmorlie’s new community sports facility have been boosted by a £78,000 windfall from the Scottish Government.

The Legacy 2014 funding was announced last week and covers around half of the estimated £165,000 costs of the project.

The development will provide the village with a facility which can be used all year round and places particular focus on supporting school activities along with broader community use.

The proposed multi-use games area would provide a artificial surface for the likes of five-a-side football, netball and tennis.

The games area is larger than the normal ‘multi-use’ areas found elsewhere in north Ayrshire.

The 40m by 20m facility would run along the boundary with the school and provide a linked gate to retain secure access to the school.

Minister for Sport Jamie Hepburn announced that Skelmorlie Community Sports Club was among the 34 national projects to receive awards from a Legacy 2014 funding programme.

Mr Hepburn said: “The Legacy 2014 Active Places Fund has been helping to secure a lasting legacy from the 2014 Commonwealth Games across Scotland with almost 200 local projects now supported.

“The projects are great examples of where people come together to identify what their community needs. Whether it’s upgrading an existing facility, or starting a brand new venture, the Active Places Fund has been able to help these projects, big and small, to encourage physical activity in their communities. I hope that as a result of these investments many more people will be inspired to take up sport and lead more active lives.”