MORE than half-a-million pounds is set to be pumped into one of Accrington's most popular playing fields, turning it into a sportsman's heaven.

Hyndburn Council officers were today celebrating news that they had been successful in securing a £357,000 grant from Sport England to help finance improvements to the King George V Playing Fields, off Royds Avenue, Accrington.

The money will be spent on providing a new sports pavilion on the site, which is popular with cricketers and footballers.

A further £100,000 will be spent on it by Hyndburn Council with a further £90,000 being ploughed in from the insurance money the council received when the last pavilion burned down five years ago -- leaving users of the field with nowhere to shower or change.

Several portable cabins were used in the short-term, but, as head of leisure services at the council, Steve Tanti, admitted, they were less than ideal.

He said: "This is the council's first major lottery award for sport and we are delighted it has been granted.

"Improving the changing facilities at these playing fields is something we have been working towards for a long time.

"It is what the public want and what we have wanted too."

The new pavilion will come equipped with changing rooms and shower facilities, with construction starting on site soon.

In the short-term, the playing fields will be closed while construction takes place.

Brian Rutter, from the Accrington and District Football Combination, said: "Knowing we are getting a new pavilion is great news because the temporary ones have been less than ideal.

"They didn't have any showers.

"The next thing that needs doing are the pitches. The drainage has been terrible there and they do need sorting out."

Richard Brown, of the Accrington and District Cricket League said matches had been rearranged for other parks in the are.

He said: "Poor conditions are something we have been putting up with for a while and it is great to see a new pavilion is being built.

"We are disappointed we are losing these facilities in the short term but it will be worth it."

The council's next plan is to improve drainage on the site.

Coun Brian Walmsley, executive member for leisure, said: "The pitches do need improving and we are hoping to do this in time for the soccer season starting in 2002."