A sports training facility for hundreds of youngsters in Eastbourne has been given the seal of approval.

Eastbourne Borough FC teamed up with Langney Point Junior FC for the bid to turn a derelict piece of land into football pitches with changing and shower facilities.

Last night members of the Eastbourne Borough Council cabinet committee gave the ambitious plan the green light.

EBFC chairman Len Smith said: "Obviously we are pleased because we have been talking about it for a while. It's going to be a big thing for the people in the town as well as for the club.

"We have got to develop our youth set-up and give lots of youngsters in the area somewhere to play and become part of the club."

The 12-acre piece of land is near pitches already shared by both clubs in Priory Lane, Eastbourne.

More than 300 young people attend the Langney side for training.

The land is vacant and overgrown but club members hoped to clear away the debris and present the pitches as a community facility at a cost of more than £100,000.

Mike Thompson, council spokesman for tourism and leisure councillor, said: "The additional facilities that will be added to the 12-acre site will benefit the youth of Langney and help nurture future local players.

"If Eastbourne Borough continue to progress at their current rate, they could be playing in the Conference before long.

"We will ensure local residents are consulted throughout the planning process with the object of achieving minimum interruption."

Councillors agreed to lease the land for 25 years if consultations with nearby residents prove successful. Both clubs plan to bid for funding from the Football Foundation.

He said: "We have got our first consultation meeting in the next couple of weeks to talk to the residents. Although it's going to be football pitches it's an area of parkland as well."