End of road for athletes

Young athletes are leaving Oswestry's athletics club as it no longer has an outdoor track. Doug Morris, a founder of Oswestry Olympians, said the town desperately needed an athletics track.

Last year the club was forced to leave its traditional home, Park Hall stadium, because of its redevelopment by Mike Harris, managing director of The New Saints - TNS - football club.

Work is under way to turn Park Hall into a £3 million sports centre, including a full-size floodlit third generation astroturf pitch, changing facilities, coaching and education training rooms, sports bar, restaurant, indoor children's play area and ten-pin bowling alley.

But Mr Morris said the redevelopment had left the athletics club without a home. "Since its forced departure from Park Hall, the plight of Oswestry Olympians has been growing," he said.

"When the outdoor track and field season begins in early April, the 100 or so young athletes who have brought this area so much distinction with their national successes will have nowhere locally to train."

He said young athletes were already looking ahead and leaving the club. But he said, with the nearest tracks in Wrexham or Shrewsbury, travelling will be difficult and youngsters will face late nights for training sessions.

Mr Morris called on local people to support the Olympians' appeal to raise funds for a new athletics track. He wants local authorities to back the plan.

Paul Shevlin, Oswestry Borough Council chief executive, said the borough did support the Olympians' ambitions but said finances were simply not available.

"We aim to provide space at Oswald Park for an athletics track if funds become available," he said.