CLUBS, schools and other groups could enjoy improved sports facilities, more training prospects and better equipment thanks to the efforts of a new sports development officer.

Louise Airey, who has been taken on by South Lakeland District Council to boost sport locally, is striving to inject more cash into the area by raising awareness of the wealth of funding opportunities available.

Admitting that she was already "snowed under" from the interest in her role, Ms Airey stressed she was keen to build links with as many schools as possible, as well as other groups to access sports grants.

"There is a lot of funding for young people and that's the area I am keen to target, although I will also be helping people right across the board from community groups to bowling clubs," she told the Gazette.

"If people want new sports equipment or a link with local sports clubs, I can help.

If teachers want to get trained in a particular sport or want to hire a facility they can."

Ms Airey, whose salary is being partly subsidised by Sport England for three years, has already embarked on a number of projects, including creating a data base of qualified coaches as well as a directory of all sports clubs in the area.

Dent Junior Football Club is one of the groups to benefit from the new sports development officer's know-how, and has received a range of football equipment from the Youth Sport Trusts TOPS programme.

Although only established in September this year, the club, which is coached by Keith Burrow, has teams of under eight, ten and 12 age groups.

Ms Airey, a former Dallam School pupil, is a qualified coach in swimming and basketball who previously worked for Preston Borough Council as a sports development officer.

She also boasts a Sports Science degree and a research degree in Young People and Physical Activity from St Martins' College, Lancaster.

To learn how Ms Airey can help your school or club, she can be contacted at South Lakeland House, Kendal, on 01539-733333.