HIGHWORTH Warneford School has been awarded just over £1.8million from the Government for a new sports centre.

After rejecting the original application in April, the Education Funding Agency has now agreed to fund the centre, which will be built on part of the school playing field and will include a four court sports hall.

It is hoped the centre will be finished by this time next year, and will mean the students no longer have to cross busy roads to get to Highworth Rec for their sports lessons.

The centre will also be open to the public at weekends and evenings when the school is not using it.

Headteacher, John Saunders, told parents today that he was delighted with the decision.

The school will now implement the tendering process with a view to starting the build as soon as possible.

North Swindon MP, Justin Tomlinson, who helped the school with the application, said: "This will be a fantastic state of the art facility for use of both the school and the local community."

See tomorrow's Adver for the full story.