A NEW sports pavilion costing £1.1 million is to be built at a Lincoln leisure centre.

The environmentally friendly development is set to have a planted roof, air source heat pumps and under-floor heating, as well as solar thermal hot water and rainwater harvesting for the toilets.

The pavilion, primarily for use by local football clubs, is being built in a bid to improve facilities in the city as well as encourage youngsters to take part in sports. It will be based at Yarborough Leisure Centre.

Antony Angus, team leader for recreation services at the City of Lincoln Council, which is heading up the build, said: "This great scheme will benefit a lot of people. The pavilion has been designed to offer excellent facilities to a range of clubs and teams.

"We've endeavoured from the outset not just to make an excellent facility for all users, but also an accessible, sustainable and attractive building."

The bulk of the funding has come from the council, which put up £807,000. The rest of the budget has been boosted by a £200,000 grant from the Football Foundation and £99,990 from Lincolnshire County Council.