AMATEUR footballers in Cookley will get a kick out of a grant of more than £200,000 to replace their spartan changing facilities.

The current changing rooms - originally intended as a temporary measure - are more than 25 years old and have no electricity, heating or running water.

A £203,570 grant from the Football Foundation will enable Cookley Playing Fields Association to start construction of a new pavilion for changing. The foundation is the UK's largest sports charity.

As well as providing improved facilities for teams currently using them in Cookley, the cash injection is also expected to stimulate the growth of the sport in the surrounding areas, attracting more than 100 new participants.

It is hoped that more girls and women players will be encouraged to "Bend it Like Beckham", as the financial boost is also intended to develop the game among more female players.

Further spin-offs include providing access on the site to the Kidderminster Harriers Community Coaching scheme for young players.

Pupils of Wolverley First, Cookley Sebright, Sion Hill and Wolverley High Schools will use the site for games lessons and their after-school coaching clubs.

David Bareford, of Cookley Playing Fields Association, said: "We pride ourselves in this village that we have retained a playing field for the use of the surrounding community to play football.

"Our changing rooms were, sadly, well beyond repair and not in a state to attract boys and girls into the sport.

"We are truly grateful that the Football Foundation has come to our aid and we feel confident now that football teams will continue to play and develop at Cookley for many years to come."

Peter Lee, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "By bringing better facilities to their community, Cookley Playing Fields Association are offering more opportunities for young people to enjoy our national game.

"Our congratulations go to the association for their determination to put something back into sport in their area."

In November 2004 , the foundation awarded more than £240,000 to enable Far Forest Society to upgrade the Callow Hill Sports Ground, near Bewdley, with the building of a modern pavilion and provision of an extra pitch.