PLANS for a pavilion on a village sports field have taken a step closer to being realised.

Proposals for the pavilion, in Heighington, include changing rooms, public lavatories, facilities for officials, a refreshment area and storage.

The chairman of Heighington Parish Council,Councillor Brian Anderson, told members he expected the plans to be approved by the Football Association.

If the plans meet the Football Association's criteria, they can be submitted to the borough council for consideration in the hope of permission being granted in January, so work can begin soon afterwards.

Parish councillors approved the designs, but some had concerns about access.

Villagers who put their names forward to sit on the playing field management committee will be invited to a meeting on December 19, to see the plans at 7.30pm at the village hall. The committee will be formed on the night

The work to improve the sports field and build the pavilion is being funded by £24,625 from the sale of the former Aycliffe Hospital site, in School Aycliffe, where 230 houses are being built.

The parish council is also applying for grants from the Football Foundation and other organisations.