TWO sports clubs in the Malvern area have picked up grants from Sport England.

Malvern Rugby Football Club has been given £14,642 for new training lights on its junior pitch at Spring Lane.

Worcester Nomads Cricket Club, based at Bransford, has been given £22,065 for an extension to its turf square.

The rugby club's award is part of the Rugby Football Union's Community Club Development Programme. It qualified because of its community work, including encouragement of youth and women's rugby.

Club chairman Peter Doran said: "Without the hard work put in by the many volunteers around the club and their dedication over the last 10 years, we would not be in such a good position to take advantage of the RFU's participation.

"We already have good links with local schools which is key to the development programme."

The club's youth section now has more than 200 members.

Malcolm Jones, 1st XI captain for Worcester Nomads, said he was delighted by the news of the award. The cash will be used to construct six new pitches on the wicket, which is being moved to a new position on the field.

"We've already bought a field next door so we can enlarge our ground. It was too small and narrow," he said.

Worcester Nomads Cricket Club was founded in 1927 and has been based at Bransford since 1963.

The club is thriving and regularly puts out three Saturday sides, two Sunday sides and a midweek team.

It also has a strong youth contingent, with 13 teams ranging from seven to 17.

Mr Jones said new faces were always welcome. Anyone interested can contact him on 01905 429701.