CHILDREN in Wedmore will soon be playing on brand new football pitches and tennis courts as work on the Wedmore playing fields is rapidly developing.

Over £200,000 has already been raised for the project, which includes two junior football pitches, five tennis courts and clubhouse, and a new children's play area.

Sedgemoor District Council granted planning permission to the project in December 2012 and the football pitches are nearing completion.

Pete Brown, project co-ordinator from Benjamin and Beauchamp Architects, said: “Work is flying at the moment. The majority of the work for the football pitches has been done. Those pitches will be ready for use by the end of June.”

Nearly £70,000 was raised through different fundraisers by the community in Wedmore for the project and work is set to begin on the tennis courts this month.

Mr Brown said: “We had £117,000 from Viridor and £13,000 from Sedgemoor District Council for the tennis courts.”

“We are awaiting an application from Sport England for another £50,000 which is due before the end of March. If that's accepted we looking to start work on the tennis courts at the end of the month.”

The Isle of Wedmore Junior Football Club, the largest junior football club in Sedgemoor, is set to benefit a lot from the new football pitches in the new season.

Jim Cavanagh, chairman of the club, said: “The kids are quite excited about moving to the new play fields. What we have got at the moment are three pitches on a large slope.”

“What happened the past few years is a massive growth in girl's football so we have run out of space. I am very excited about it for the club.”

A planning application was submitted last week for the tennis clubhouse as Sedgemoor District Council wanted more clarification on what that would involve.

A £10,000 games area at the Wedmore playing fields was completed in December of last year.