A WIRRAL tennis club's refurbishment can now go ahead after a lottery funding boost from Sport England.

Upton Victory Hall has been awarded £72,775 to refurbish the main Hall and Tennis club house. 

The project is one of 149 across the country receiving a share of £16.5million in funding to help improve facilities and playing fields.

Upton Victory Hall is a registered charity established in 1919 for the leisure pursuits of the parishioners of Upton in memory of those who gave their lives in World War 1.

Its chair, Lauretta Radcliffe said: "We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can upgrade the quality of our premises to provide an excellent experience for all those who play sport or visit Upton Victory Hall."

Sport England has invested £5 billion in grassroots sport in the last 20 years.

Its property director, Charles Johnston, said: "£5 billion is a huge sum of money, but it’s the projects and people that that money supports which are really important.

"We're delighted to have invested so much into community sport, and see on a daily basis the impact that it makes for local people.

"The latest round of facility funding continues to make a noticeable difference to community sports clubs across the country.

"By giving people top-class, sustainable facilities in which to play sport, and by improving and protecting our playing surfaces, we’re ensuring that more people can pay sport, more often."