TONY Wood, chairman of Blackburn Harriers and Athletics Club, has welcomed the news that £150,000 of funding from Sport England will be used to resurface the outdoor athletics track at Witton Park and provide new spectator seating. He said: “We are grateful to the borough for their own contribution into not only this project but the fantastic Witton Park Arena which will open soon. Much hard work has gone into achieving all this and our thanks go to the key officers and councillors who have worked on and supported the plans over the last few years.

“We hope to develop many young athletes with the help of these facilities and possibly find a few more Olympians to add to those who proudly represented the town at London 2012.”