FOOTBALL in Ledbury has scored a £10,000 funding boost to help the town’s teams revamp facilities and buy new kits and equipment.

Ledbury Town FC and Ledbury Swifts FC are both set to benefit thanks to a sponsorship package from Bloor homes.

The initial part of the sponsorship will enable Ledbury Town FC to arrange much-needed repairs and maintenance to its existing facilities, and fund new kits and equipment for Ledbury Swifts.

The second phase of the house builder’s partnership will be assistance with the clubs’ proposed move to new facilities, along with professional and technical advice.

Peter Boyle, chairman of Ledbury Town FC, said: “The sponsorship package from Bloor will be such a massive help for an amateur club such as ourselves. We can’t thank them enough.

“We’ve been in the doldrums for the last few years, but over the last year we have really picked up our standards on the field, and Bloor’s donation will mean that standards off the field will also go up.

“The money will be used to improve facilities and standards, so this will be a club we can all be proud of.”

Steve Onions, chairman of Ledbury Swifts, said: “I’d like to say thank you on behalf of the club, and around 250 boys and girls who love playing here. We’re a community club run by volunteers, so I can’t emphasise enough how important this kind of support is.”

Steve Roberts, Managing Director of Bloor Western, said: “We’re so pleased to be supporting grassroots football in Ledbury, as we know the Swifts and Ledbury Town are clubs that mean a lot to many local people.

“This is just the first phase of a partnership which will continue for years and help to create facilities that Ledbury can be proud of, and we hope that our backing will mean that the teams can continue to go from strength to strength.”

Bloor’s plans for 625 homes and three hectares of employment land at the viaduct site off Bromyard Road have been controversial.

Despite opposition from residents and the town council, Secretary of State, Robert Jenrick ruled that the single access estate could go ahead in March.

Responding to the decision, the council said it was "extremely disappointed that the Secretary of State has found in favour of Bloor Homes and that the damaging single access to the viaduct site development is to go ahead”.

In her report, the planning inspector said: “I am aware that the proposed development was subject to a large number of objections and in a poll of local people most people opposed it. However, local support or opposition to a scheme is not in itself a reason for granting or refusing planning permission.”

For details of the plans, visit viaduct-ledbury.co.uk.