THE final touches are being put to a new community hub that will also have a new children's five-a-side football pitch.

Parkeston's disused bowls club, behind the Railway Club in Hamilton Street, is being transformed into a new village facility.

It will be available to hire for uses such as meetings and talks and is also expected to be used by the Ramsey and Parkeston Parish Council for meetings.

Bill Davidson, chairman of the Parkeston Residents' Association, said: "We've been working on it since just after Christmas, the Parkeston Welfare Park and residents' association.

"We will move the dining club there, it is at the Railway Club but it was always a temporary measure until we found a permanent base.

"The bowls club, they couldn't get any new members, they were all in their 80s, and they decided to pack it in.

"They contacted me and asked was I interested in it.

"We are just signing the lease now, we have decorated it and did a bit of work in the kitchen, got a new cooker and equipment.

"It will be ready to go soon."

Work on the building has been carried out by volunteers as well as the Community Payback Scheme.

Bill added: "Painting has been done by ex-offenders, they have been really good - they mixed up three tonnes of concrete last weekend.

"We've had carpenters and plumbers giving us a hand.

"The public has given us great support and businesses have given us money to start it off.

"We've got a lot of interest to start a kids five-a-side league - we have fencing going up and floodlights have been donated."

The new community centre will be hired out to raise the fund to pay the bills.

Events are also being held to raise money for the project as well as the welfare park including a Superhero night at the Parkeston Railway Club on Saturday April 28 at 7pm.

Bill is also appealing for a mobility scooter to help those using the new club get across the green.

To get in touch, or for tickets at £3 for adults and £1.50 for under 12s, call 07506212377.