A LONG-AWAITED revamp of Worcester's historic old Cinderella ground has moved a step closer after council chiefs endorsed the overhaul.

Worcester City Council's Labour leadership has voted through a spending package to allow the site, in St John's, to finally be restored as a 'sporting hub'.

The decision, made during a cabinet meeting last night, means the Heart of Worcestershire College can press ahead with its fresh planning application.

As the Worcester News reported last week the joint project will include four football pitches, a new cricket pavilion to replace the dilapidated one, changing rooms and drainage.

The finances are being kept under wraps but it includes a donation from an anonymous benefactor as well as money from the council, college, a Sport England grant and developer contributions, all adding up to several hundred thousand pounds.

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Last night's decision means the planning application will be submitted imminently, with work expected to start by the end of May and be finished within 18 months.

Councillor Adrian Gregson, the leader, said: "It's an ancient cricketing experience.

"Like most things on the west side of the river this is a well-liked, well-supported, popular site with the local community.

"So it's very pleasing to be able to work with partners like the Heart of Worcestershire College on delivering not just a cricket facility, but more general sporting facilities too.

"This will bring that land back into use, all in all it's a very reasonable outcome."

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The ground's original ornate pavilion, which has been effectively condemned, is fenced off but a deal to dismantle and rebuild it before putting it on display at Avoncroft Museum is still expected to go-ahead.

Councillor Roger Berry, cabinet member for housing and heritage, said: "It is very good news - and this will save the pavilion, which is really important.

"There's a great opportunity to retain that pavilion in perpetuity by taking it to Avoncroft museum, and it also brings back into use an excellent sporting facility on the west side."

The land, off Bransford Road, was once the home of Kays' sport and social club but has stood empty for a decade since the firm closed down.

The terrible state of the site in recent years has shocked historians, as it was the original home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, hosting the legendary WG Grace, then aged 20, in 1870 during the first ever Australian tour to Britain in 1878.

It later became the works ground for the Cinderella shoe factory before Kays took it over.

The site is owned by developer Arndale and is rented to the council on a 25-year lease, which will sub-let it to the college for a peppercorn fee.