THE chairmen of Melksham's football and rugby clubs are breathing a sigh of relief, as contracts for the new £6.9m sports facilities have finally been signed and work can now begin.

It comes months after a colony of Great Crested Newts were discovered at the site in Woolmore Farm, bringing plans to a halt and delaying the development by a year.

The protected amphibians have now been safely removed and contractors Beard and Kestrel can start building the stadium, 15 pitches and other facilities, set to be finished by next summer.

On Monday, to mark the progress, chairman Dave Wiltshire of Melksham Town Football Club, chairman Pat Holtom of Melksham Rugby Football Club, key members and councillors involved in the development met at the site behind Melksham Oak Community School with Wiltshire Councillor John Thomson, who is overseeing the project.

He said: “This is £6.9m, the first of the transfer money being spent, contracts are signed, so I think it proves we are going to deliver.

"It’s a massive investment in the community, it’s providing two clubs with really modern facilities that will enable them to really progress and be more sustainable and attract more people into the club."

Melksham Town FC celebrated what they thought was their last game at The Conigre earlier this year, so were disheartened to find out about the newts.

“We’ve waited a long time for this,” said Mr Wiltshire. “But we are really delighted that we are nearly there and work will start, we are told, any day.

“We get frustrated, course we do, any sports club would but we are thankful for the council and Football Foundation for pushing it over the line, they’ve really supported what we do as a community football club and we look forward to getting it built and doing the best job we can with it.”

Mr Holtom also hopes the new sports facilities means more youngsters will be able to join their youth rugby teams.

He added: "Woolmore farm will be a great asset to the town."