WORK is under way on a £1.5 million community sports arena in Darwen.

The new leisure facility is being built at Darwen Vale School, off Blackburn Road, Darwen.

It is being funded by a £600,000 grant from Barclays' Spaces for Sports initiative and the Football Foundation, together with funds from Blackburn with Darwen Council, Blackburn Rovers Football Club and Darwen Vale High School.

The arena will feature a reception/lobby area, four court sports halls, a 20-station fitness gym, changing rooms and car parking including disabled.

It will meet Sport England recreational standards for football, netball and badminton and will be suitable for short tennis, bowling and a variety of the other activities.

Building work is expected to be completed by the autumn.