Ashton Central Swimming Club has been awarded £6,347 of National Lottery funding from Sport England to purchase six starting blocks and backstroke wedges, which will be installed at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness on Ashton Road.

The total cost of the equipment is £12,694.73, with the club raising the remaining funds through other means.

Trisha Little, chairman of Ashton Central Swimming Club, said: "We are delighted to have secured this investment, which means we can replace the starting blocks at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness with six more modern starting blocks with a raised ends and six backstroke wedges. 

"This will undoubtedly enhance the experience of Club Swimmers."

The new equipment will not only benefit Ashton Central but also other clubs that use the Newton-le-Willows pool.

Ms Little said: "We would also like to thank everyone who plays the National Lottery, we wouldn’t be able to do this without you.

"We are also working in partnership with the site manager Jane Ascroft to match the funding with a number of events."

Founded in 1977, the club now attracts swimmers from both the St Helens and Wigan boroughs and trains at Newton-le-Willows Health and Fitness as well as Ashton Leisure Centre.

The club is appealing for additional support from the community to help reach its funding goals.

The swimming club said it would be grateful for support from local businesses with funding or raffle prizes.

Sport England is a public body that invests up to £300 million of National Lottery and government money each year to help people of all backgrounds get active.

It prioritises increasing participation among groups who are typically less active, including women, disabled people, and those on lower incomes.