PLANS for a £15,000 extension to the sports pavilion at Lyndhurst recreation ground have moved a step nearer their goal.

Success hinged on support from the Forestry Commission - which leases the ground at Wellands Road to Lyndhurst Parish Council for the use of sports groups like Lyndhurst Boys Football Club.

The LBFC have raised more than £6,000 and lined up a grant of £10,000 from the National Football Foundation to pay for the pavilion upgrade. But before they handed over the cash, the Foundation insisted on a guarantee that the lease would apply for 15 years at least.

Parish councillors at Lyndhurst were delighted to hear from the Commission that the essential guarantee was in the post.

Councillor George Bisson said: "The FC have said that on renewal the lease will guarantee in excess of 15 years, so it's within the remit to apply for the grant.

"We should see success in a three-month timescale. And if the invoice came to us we would be able to claim VAT back and save £2,500 for the football club. If any club members do work towards the project, from digging trenches to loaning plant, that can also save money as a partnership contribution."

A spokesman for LBFC said in a letter that they were keen to see football promoted in the village for girls as well as boys, and for youngsters with disabilities too.

Lyndhurst's youth football club is one of the most successful in the New Forest - with more than 80 players and plans to develop teams to accommodate another 70.

Councillors voted £750 from parish coffers towards the pavilion project.