WORK will begin next month on an £80,000 community sports pavilion in Darlington.

The facility, at the Eastbourne Sports Complex, is being built by Darlington Borough Council.

Community groups will be able to use the centre, which will have a meeting room, kitchen facilities, lavatories and a verandah.

It will be situated next to the five-a-side football pitches and should be finished by January.

A council spokesman said it was part of the authority's Moving Up drive to improve cultural and leisure facilities for people in the town.

"We are responding to the needs of the local community who told us that they didn't have this sort of facility," he said.

"Lots of consultation has gone on with local groups about how we can best use it.

"Primarily, it will be for groups in that area but it will also be available for other people across the town."

Local teams can book the facility for training and coaching seminars.

Hundens Lane Bowling Association will use the centre during the bowling season.