CRICKETERS, footballers and tennis players across Huddersfield will benefit from new and improved facilities.

Kirklees Council’s Cabinet last night gave the green light for £140,000 of investment in sports clubs around the district.

Newsome Panthers will receive £30,000 to help pay for the £37,000 refurbishment of the club’s changing rooms at Hall Bower

The council will also give Denby Dale Tennis Club £50,000 towards the £58,000 cost of converting its courts from shale to all-weather tarmac.

Upper Hopton Cricket Club will benefit from a £30,000 grant to help pay for the £45,000 upgrade to the changing rooms and pavilion.

Lepton Highlanders Sports and Social Club will get £18,000 from Kirklees towards the £38,000 cost of installing dug-outs and resurfacing the car park.

And Cleckheaton Boxing Club will receive £9,600 to help fund the £19,000 cost of installing a kitchen and a female changing room.

The £140,000 of spending was unanimously approved by the council’s Labour Cabinet last night.

The investment is part of a three-year programme to invest £500,000 in grassroots sports in Kirklees.