CASH set aside for a Westlands kickabout area will instead fund emergency repairs at the estate's community hall.

Wychavon District Council had budgeted £10,000 for the sporty project but its executive board has unanimously backed proposals by Councillor Roy Seabourne (Lab-Droit.West), to re-direct the grant.

A report for members, who met last Tuesday, revealed Westlands Community Hall, off Farmers Way, could close if urgent repairs are not carried out.

New lighting, heating, front doors, window boarding, toilet accessories and a nappy changing unit are desperately needed.

Westlands Community Association will now seek money for the kickabout area from the Community Trial Building Programme - a cash pot funded by Sport England, the Community Fund and the Arts Council.

Further financial support for the total refurbishment of the hall and employment of a youth worker/caretaker will also be requested.

If successful, a grant of £100,000 could be winging its way to Westlands.

District councillors also agreed that £22,000 previously offered to the community association would still be available to help support their grant application.

The authority's community partnership manager Tim Deakin said: "This is a departure from the council's normal policy of funding works to community building via the grants process but other precedents do exist."

The executive board said Spa Housing Association and the local probation service have pledged their support for improvements to the hall, including redecoration and enhancements to the kitchen and toilets.