A NEW badminton centre is to be created at a secondary school.

The facility at Belmont Community School, Durham, will be paid for with £78,000 from Badminton England plus support from the school and Belmont Community Association.

It will have four courts, state-of-the-art lighting and flooring and high quality equipment and be open to clubs, residents and school pupils.

The centre will also serve as a hub for Badminton England’s Smash Up! initiative to encourage 12 to 17-year-olds take up the sport.

Anita Steven, the school’s assistant headteacher, said: “We have a long history of sporting achievement at the school and a proud record of working with Belmont Community Association, local and national partners.

“Being able to facilitate a high quality regional badminton hub will enable us to support ongoing development of sport both within the school and the wider community.

“We are immensely proud of this new development, which, in addition to the recently refurbished Astro turf, is another stage in our plans to continue improving our sporting facilities.”

Julia Strong, community game director at Badminton England, said: “We are delighted to help Belmont Community School to fund this refurbishment.”

The facility will be ready for use later this year.