THE future of one of Huddersfield's best-known soccer and cricket complexes has been made safe for sport.

The former Britannia Sports Club ground at Salendine Nook has been sold to the owner of the Little Angels Nursery, Longley.

The five-acre fields contain two football pitches, a cricket field and a pavilion.

Mrs Janette Walker said she bought the fields for the benefit of all sports enthusiasts.

"The whole point is we are keeping it as a sports facility," she said.

She added that improvements were planned, both on the pavilion and grounds themselves.

"There are all sorts of thing we have got in mind," said Mrs Walker.

The land was bought with the young particularly in mind. Mrs Walker, a mother-of-two, said: "It really is because of the children."

She added of the site: "It's all in great condition and it's in such a good situation. It's near the motorway. It's got good access. I just want it to be used by everyone."

Britannia Sports Club went into liquidation last year. It was owned and run by past and present employees of Hopkinsons, the Birkby valve makers now part of the Weir group.

Increasing costs forced the sale as the grounds were under-used.

Rodney Hullah, treasurer of the sports club, said it was still interested in using the facility.

"We are waiting for the new owners to come back to us to see if we are able to gain any future access," he said.

A clause in the contract ensures that if planning consent for homes on the land is ever granted, the sports club would benefit financially from any sale.