UNIVERSITY College Winchester is drawing up plans for a £1m athletic track.

The college has confirmed that it is working up proposals for a 400-metre artificial running track at its playing fields at Bar End.

The proposal would complement its current sporting priority for a new all-weather hockey pitch.

A full appraisal is being drawn up for further development at Bar End. The cost of the project has been estimated at about £1m.

Winchester and District Athletics Club has been campaigning for a purpose-built track to replace the cinder track at Abbotts Barton.

The club's 300 athletes are currently forced to train in Andover, Basingstoke and Southampton - an average travelling distance of nearly 30 miles.

John Miller, club chairman, said: "It is something that the club and the city has needed for the past 25 years. If it were to happen it would be a fantastic asset for both the club and the wider Winchester community. It would also help sportsmen in the city to develop to their full potential."

Tomorrow UCW is officially opening its new £700,000 pavilion at Bar End.

Justin Ridgment, director of campus and conference services, said UCW had a long-term strategy to improve its sports facilities at Bar End.

Mr Ridgment said the scheme was at a very early stage. UCW was talking to other partners and funding agencies to share the burden. He said: "Anything we built would be for the community as well as for our students. There is a sense in the city that there is a need for this type of facility. Our 5,500 students would certainly relish the use of it."

Martin Rennison, president of the students' union, said: "It would be a great asset for the college, something it has wanted for a long time. It would attract more students to the college."