CAMPAGNERS are celebrating after securing the future of Weymouth’s only athletics track.

Members of St Paul’s Harriers and Athletic Club feared the facilities at The Marsh would be lost after the council said it could no longer maintain them.

But club members have now gained council permission to repair the town’s track and field facilities themselves.

Representatives of the club have agreed with the borough council that volunteers could undertake maintenance work at The Marsh sports field.

Duncan Montrose, liaison officer for the club, said: “I’m very pleased that the council is happy for us to do the work.”

Mr Montrose said he was also relieved that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council had pledged not to reduce the town’s track and field facilities until a new athletics stadium at Redlands is confirmed.

If the funding bid by Weymouth College to Sport England is rejected, Mr Montrose said the council would meet again with Harriers representatives to discuss the future of The Marsh, off Knightsdale Road.

Mr Montrose said: “We’ve got a lot of young athletes based here and the club’s developing very well at the moment.

“The club is proud of its young athletes who, despite the limitations at The Marsh, have won their age group in the shot, javelin, high jump and performed well in the long jump and in all track events.”

A report from England Athletics showed there was ‘no reason’ to remove the shot circle, javelin run up and the high jump as maintenance was ‘negligible’.

Mr Montrose said club members were capable of doing any works required and added: “It won’t cost a huge amount because we’ll be reusing materials from one of the disused pits to renew another pit.

“What it does cost, the club will pay for.”

The Harriers fully support the proposed development at Redlands of an eight-lane track, throwing and jumping areas, small stadium, changing rooms and club area.

To this end, the club has developed its coaching staff from six to 14 in the last year.

Tony Faulkner, vice-chairman of the Harriers and senior coach, said around 50 youngsters attended the Tuesday club nights in the summer and 40 during the winter indoors at Budmouth sports centre.

Councillor Brendan Webster, the borough council’s leisure, tourism and community facilities spokesman, said: “There are a number of discretionary services and facilities that we provide for the general good and wellbeing of our community such as the athletics facility at The Marsh.

“However, we are continually having to restrict the amount of council tax that we spend on these facilities.”