WINKLEIGH could soon be nurturing the sports stars of the future after scooping almost £750,000 of Lottery funding to create a multi-sports centre in the village.

The project, five years in the making, was the subject of one failed lottery bid in 1999, but villagers refused to give up on their dream — and now they are celebrating.

The award from Sport England is one of the largest ever made to a community village scheme and is believed to have resulted from the fact that Winkleigh is 'out on a limb' and at least ten miles from other sports facilities.

Secretary of the project group Tony Dickman said it was wonderful news and a much needed facility for the area — all the surrounding communities would also have access to the centre.

The sports complex will be situated on Winkleigh's recreation ground and encompass tennis, bowls and snooker, but the two hard surfaces can also be used for other sports such as netball, football and athletics training.

Ten per cent of the £841,000 scheme has been raised by the Winkleigh War Memorial Playing Fields Committee itself, together with grants from other bodies such as Torridge District Council.

Mr Dickman said it all began five years ago when the old chicken house which housed the bowling club started falling down.

'We were left a £5,000 legacy by a villager called Ken Brook who was a member of the bowling and the football club,' he said. 'That money gave us the kick-start we needed.'

Three years ago a lottery bid was rejected, despite being half the amount it is now, due to competition from projects such as the Millennium Dome and the Royal Opera House in London.

Mr Dickman said the tenacious team never gave up: 'We had raised money and spent quite a lot of it on plans and the like so we did not want to give up on it — it was too important.

'When we had to submit new plans because the first ones did not suit Sport England, Torridge District Council helped us to meet the cost and we are so grateful to them for that.'

In the village, which has limited transport links and community facilities but a large community spirit, sports now look set to flourish.

Winkleigh lost its tennis club almost 20 years ago after the courts fell into disrepair, but a recent parish survey demonstrated massive local interest in somewhere to play the sport, especially among youngsters.

Opportunities for short-mat bowls will also be increased and the snooker club will again have a base. New changing areas should help to build on the success of all the clubs based at the sports centre.

Work is due to start on October 6 and is expected to be completed by May.

Mr Dickman said the real celebration for the village would be when the centre opened its doors in May, but there would be a few champagne corks flying over the next few days.

Kate Berrington from Sport England said this was a great example of lottery money providing new opportunities for isolated rural communities — it was the largest single award made to a village since the lottery strategy was launched in May 1999.

'It's a great way to bring the community together and for everyone to try something new in a friendly village environment,' she said.