Corsham Town Council has given the town’s football club a £20,000 grant to improve its multi-use outdoor courts.

The money was provided from a fund usually reserved to refurbish the tennis courts at Springfield, which will now become part of the town’s new campus project.

The club had to raise an equal sum and ensure work can start within three years.

Mel Cooper started playing for the club as a 15-year-old in 1963, but now works as part of the ground maintenance team.

He said: “This is such a huge encouragement to the few volunteers who work tirelessly to enable the provision of football, tennis, netball and other sports.

“The courts will be for the general public to use and some schools have also expressed an interest.

“The need for sporting facilities in Corsham is growing and many sports clubs struggle to find venues or hire charges are prohibitive.

Town council chairman Peter Anstey said: “It’s a good way to say goodbye to 2012; a year that has been all about sporting achievement.”