A VILLAGE project is to get a significant boost with the creation of new sports facilities thanks to �53,000 given by Devon County Council from funds allocated from the sale of Exeter International Airport.

A VILLAGE project is to get a significant boost with the creation of new sports facilities - thanks to �53,000 given by Devon County Council from funds allocated from the sale of Exeter International Airport.The 'Young At Heart' project in Upottery, near Honiton, is to get �32,000 from the county council's Community Fund plus a further �21,000 allocated by Honiton St Paul's county councillor Roger Boote from his local projects fund.The money will pay towards a new cricket pitch, double all-weather tennis court and better drainage of the football field. They will provide playing and coaching facilities for local young people. In addition, new changing rooms are to be provided thanks to a local initiative to recycle a Portakabin previously used by the village school. Councillor Boote said: "The members of this parish have worked very hard to get this project going. I am proud to be able to contribute."Richard Wells, a fundraiser for the Upottery Playing Field Association, said: "This is a huge step forward for the village and its commitment to providing seriously good playing and coaching facilities for our up-and-coming generation of cricketers, footballers and tennis-players. We are very grateful indeed to Councillor Boote and to the Devon County Council for their investment in our enthusiasm.