The council has officially opened new sport facilities in Alexandria and Dumbarton after investing £865,000 to help hundreds of local young people and amateur athletes.

A full size 3G synthetic pitch has been constructed in Argyll Park, Alexandria, and a new, modern 3G pitch has also been installed at East End Park in Dumbarton to replace the existing facility.

The developments by West Dunbartonshire Council are part of a major programme of sporting investment in the area.

The new facilities, which officially opened this week, have also each received major external funding.

The £565,000 all-weather floodlit pitch in Argyll Park meets FIFA and IRB standards and has been supported by £250,000 funding from sportscotland.

The park is available for use both for games and training seven days week throughout the year.

Dozens of bookings have already been made by youth and amateur teams from across the authority.

The state of the art surface at East End Park has been installed in a £300,000 project in that area with Cashback for Communities contributing £150,000 and the Scottish Football Partnership contributing £25,000.

The Scottish Government programme which takes funds recovered from the proceeds of crime and invests them to benefit young people.

The pitch is available for use by the community including local sports teams seven days a week.

Councillor Patrick McGlinchey, Convener for Infrastructure and Regeneration, told the Reporter: “These impressive new facilities will encourage participation and increase enjoyment of sport among residents of all ages.

“The facilities provide our amateur and youth footballers and rugby players with somewhere to train and play regardless of the weather and will increase the development opportunities our local grassroots clubs and groups can provide.”

Councillor David McBride, Vice-Convener for Infrastructure and Regeneration, added: “We’re committed to improving the wellbeing of our communities and we’re delivering on that front by investing in sporting facilities across our area.

"These new pitches in Dumbarton and Alexandria provide the best possible playing surface for our amateur and young athletes to enjoy their sport and I’m looking forward to the development of further new sporting facilities across our area.”