MINEHEAD Rugby Club looks set to continue going from strength to strength after district councillors agreed to give £50,000 towards an ambitious £200,000 upgrade of club facilities.

At Wednesday's meeting of the full West Somerset Council, councillors were told the club would be putting in £50,000 of its own money.

And although the club was still waiting to hear if two bids for £50,000 from Sport England and the Rugby Football Union had been successful, the council cash would bring the current funding pot to a healthy £100,000.

The club's refurbishment plans would improve disabled access, create a viewing gallery, upgrade the kitchen and see new changing rooms with en-suite shower facilities.

Councillors were unanimous in their support and said they were impressed by both the plans and the dedication of club members.

Rugby club honorary secretary Colin Howells told the meeting the changes were vital to meet demand and to cater for the growing number of female players and coaches.

He said the club currently only had communal showers and changing rooms, while the kitchen was no longer fit for purpose.

The refurbishment would improve the ground-floor access for disabled people, create a first floor disabled toilet and viewing balcony, a larger, catering-standard kitchen and six spacious, individual changing rooms and a new referees' room.

Young player, 11-year-old Chelsea Howard, told the meeting she had been playing rugby since she was six.

"I have to change in a small toilet and am unable to wash," she said.

U6s and U7s coach Dionne Jones said all female players and coaches were forced to change in the toilets after matches and said the current club facilities were not meeting an ever increasing demand.

Club treasurer Mike Willis said the improvements would also help the club to expand its sporting provision during the summer months and its connections with local schools and other organisations.

The refurbishment would also include a number of green energy measures including photo voltaic roof tiles, a ground-source heat system and rainwater harvesting.

Cllr Kate Kravis, the council's lead member for finance, said it was clear the club was doing its bit to ensure the success of the scheme.

"I feel this would be a great project for the rugby club and West Somerset as a whole," she said.

She said the funding bid - paid for with money given to the council by developers to offset the impact of building work in Minehead - had also won the support of Minehead Town Council.

The club is expecting to hear the outcome of its two outstanding grant applications sometime next month.