ATHLETES in Huddersfield hope they are on the home straight of their marathon battle for a new track.

The Three Valleys Sports Trust, an organisation representing sports clubs in the Holme, Colne and Dearne valleys, hopes to secure planning approval for a new 400-metre running track.

The proposed two-lane track would go on land owned by Kirklees Council near St John's C of E Junior and Infant School and Manor Road Junior and Infant School in Golcar.

A decision is expected on January 30 on whether the plans can move forward.

Since 1996, the trust has been working to improve facilities in South Kirklees for the more than 1,000 registered athletes in the area.

At present, they have to travel to indoor facilities at Wakefield or Princess Mary Playing Fields in Cleckheaton to take part in their sport.

Governing body Athletics UK has confirmed they will make available £300,000 for the project if the plans are approved. Sports England has also given them the green light.

Tony White, treasurer of the Three Valleys Sports Trust, says a running track in South Kirklees is vital.

He said: "There are only two clubs operating in North Kirklees, but we have seven in the Huddersfield area. All have to travel some distance in order to take part in the sport.

"We have already seen three previous bids to build a new track fall through, but we are very hopeful this time we will be successful.

"One big plus is that it will benefit football and rugby clubs as well, because there will be space in the centre of the track for a full size pitch.

"If we get approval at this stage - and everything else goes to plan - we can expect a new track and a small changing facility to be ready to use in about 18 months," added Mr White.

"But the football pitch would be ready to use much sooner than that," he said.