A YOUTH football club is set to become a major part of the community after secure a lease for a new dedicated club base.

Frinton and Walton Youth Football Club was set up in 1978 but has always been divided over several sites with no central home for its teams.

But it has now been granted a 25-year lease by Tendring Council for a former pavilion building at Frinton Park Playing Fields.

Club bosses are celebrating after clinching the lease.

Chairman Mick Collins said: “It is absolutely fantastic news for us.

“Up until now our teams have been scattered across four different sites in the area. We have never had the opportunity to be a real club.

“This building will give us the chance to unite everyone and have a purpose moving forward.

“It is an opportunity to create a whole new developing chapter in the club’s history and become an even bigger part of the community.”

The club has 211 boys and 20 girls on its books from across the area.

Next season it will run 18 teams covering different age groups and abilities.

A five year plan has been drawn up by the club to gradually improve its new base.