SOME of Lydney' s top sports clubs have been offered commercial leases to safeguard their futures on the town's Recreation Ground.

Within months, the town's angling, tennis, football and cricket clubs could have 25-year leases for the land they currently use – protecting their interests and enabling them to tap into new funding streams.

The Recreation Ground is looked after by the town's recreation trust on behalf of the Charity Commission.

Town clerk Jane Smailes said: "The leases will give the clubs secure tenure, which they need in order to access grants."

The council's solicitors have already issued draft documents to the tennis, angling football and cricket clubs, but not Lydney Rugby Club.

Although the rugby club use the Rec for training and some second XV matches, offering them a lease would have had a detrimental effect on Section 106 funds – money that developers must provide for the good of the town as a result of recent building projects.

"The clubs are looking at the drafts and the balls are in their courts," said Mrs Smailes.

Lydney Town Football Club spokesman Adrian Bishop said security of tenure would allow his club to apply for Football Foundation grants.

Lydney Town FC want to develop their facilities with more hard-standing around the pitch and more under-cover seating. They estimate the full cost of the work they want to do to be in the region of £100,000.

"There are some minor issues to sort out but we need this lease to apply for grants," he said.

Andrew Davis of Lydney Cricket Club added: "The documents are with our solicitors so we don't really know the state of play, but in principle we're all for this.

"We'd like things sorted out as soon as possible."