A CAMPAIGN to raise £10,000 is being launched after a sports and leisure association won a grant to boost facilities.

The Prestwood Sports and Leisure Association has been battling for more than 25 years to develop a new local sports and fitness facility at the football and cricket pitches in Honor End Lane, Prestwood.

Last week the efforts of association chiefs paid off when the National Lottery charity Sport England pledged cash for the scheme on the condition that the local community raises a minimum of £10,000.

Peter Presland, spokesman for Prestwood Sports and Leisure Association, said: "This is really the first hurdle. We are now working up a campaign over the next six months to raise this money in the local area."

The association wants local businesses, organisations and clubs to come forward to raise funds through events and sponsorship.

The new centre, to be called the Sprinters Sports Centre, would cover an area with a population of 25,000 people, including Great Missenden, The Lee, Hyde Heath, the Kingshills, Little Missenden and parts of Wendover.

Chiltern District Council is also supporting the scheme.

If you would like your business, club or organisation to support the bid for a new sports centre call Mr Presland on 01494 866716