Barnoldswick-based rugby club West Craven Warriors are close to securing their best ever Victory - a new home at Victory Park!

The club has campaigned for the last five years to get a new ground and the council has finally given the scheme the green light.

Planning permission has been granted for two new rugby pitches at the council site while a new multi purpose changing room is also set to be built.

Club officials are hoping to move to their new home within the next 18 months.

Coach, Richard Milner, is delighted with the news and believes it is something that could secure the future of the Warriors.

He said: "We have been working towards this for a long time and we are delighted that planning permission has finally been given the go-ahead.

"We have been going for 14 years but news like this is the best possible way to secure our future."

The Warriors currently play all of their home games at West Craven High School but once the new pitches are built they are hoping to secure a long term lease deal.

Milner added: "This is a football heartland while we have rugby union sides at Colne and Nelson and Skipton either side of us."

The club currently has two teams competing in leagues - the Open Age side are third in Pennine League Division Five while the Under 16s compete in West Riding League.

However, the Warriors have players from under fives to under 14s and are looking to start up an under 15s team next season.

"We are looking to expand but that is always difficult when you don't know what is happening.

"But hopefully this news will help us plan for the future."

Meanwhile, the club has welcomed another boost after receiving a set of coaching kit and equipment as part of the Barclays Spaces For Sports programme.

Michelle Smith, Barclays' sponsorship director, said: "We are delighted to be supporting West Craven Warriors and hope this kit will encourage their interest in sport and lead them to greater success."

Barclays Spaces for Sports, a partnership between Barclays, Football Foundation and Groundwork, will create sustainable sports sites and provide coaching kit and equipment to communities.