Plans for a future multi-sports complex in West Kilbride have been heavily backed by the village community.

Volunteers and community groups in the village kicked off their bid to fund £1 million of upgrades to the Kirktonhall Glen facilities earlier this year.

This includes a brand new MUGA (Multi Use Games Area) on the derelict blaze area of the glen, which will be utilised by hundreds of people every week.

West Kilbride AFC, WK Sports Club and the Friends of Kirktonhall Glen are leading the project, which also includes the upgrading of existing pitches.

Volunteer George Cloughley revealed the amount of support the project has received from the community has been "mind-blowing".

He said: “We are one of the only villages in North Ayrshire that does not have an all-weather sports pitch, and that is what we want to change.

“The community has come together and it’s amazing how many people are involved, and how many others are interested in our progress.

“We have a professional funder on board now who is looking to find us over half a million pounds, which is not easy.”

George believes the new facilities would be utilised by countless teams across the village that otherwise have nowhere to play.

He explained: “The amount of football teams and other sports in the village is actually surprising relative to our size.

“At the moment there is nowhere for the young girls teams to play, and nowhere for teams to train at night because there are no floodlights.

“There are so many other sports that could use the pitches like walking football and netball so it really would be for everyone.”

The volunteers are currently circulating a questionnaire to gauge further support, with 84 responses so far backing the project.

Local councillors have also been involved in supporting the project, and elected member Todd Ferguson told the News the upgrades would be not before time.

He explained: “The old red blaes pitch at Kirktonhall Glen has been in desperate need of an upgrade for many years.

“That is why I am absolutely thrilled to be working alongside West Kilbride AFC, WK Sports Club, and the Friends of Kirktonhall Glen who are seeking to bring a multi-sports facility to the site.”

“If we are successful in securing funding for the project then it will provide a facility that can be used by the entire community.

“It will ensure that children, young people, and senior teams are not having to travel elsewhere in order to participate in sporting opportunities.”

To take part in the survey go to: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeSyrmwhsy5S-drBfROH_cufm-nKFV9J1tqXI30T8GYOquS9g/viewform.