New flood lights and fencing will be installed at King George V playing fields as part of a £250,000 grant.

Watford Borough Council, in partnership with Watford Football Club, applied for the grant from the Barclays Spaces for Sports programme.

The work will include enlarging the pitch, so it can accommodate not only 5-a-side football and basketball, but also netball and tennis.

Watford Mayor Dorothy Thornhill said: "These works fulfil the priorities identified when local residents in Holywell and community centre user groups were consulted last year about what they thought was most important for the playing fields. Their top priorities were facilities for children and young people."

Subject to the relevant planning consents, work will commence soon and the improvements to the games area will be completed by June of this year.

In addition to the grant, the centre will also receive kit and equipment worth £2,000 and a £20,000 development fund from Barclays to ensure its sustainability.

Dacsha Panchal, Watford branch manager for Barclays, said: "Barclays believes that sport has a key role to play in revitalising our communities, and projects like this one in Watford are central to this. We hope that the site will provide local people with the opportunity to participate in and enjoy sport."