PLANS aimed at creating a centre of excellence for sport on the south coast to groom Britain's next generation of superstars will open the door to top-class facilities for Hampshire people.

The University of Southampton is to redevelop its Wide Lane sports ground to provide state-of-the-art facilities which will also be open for community use.

The current shabby, portable, office-type buildings at Wide Lane - opposite Southampton International Airport - will be swept away under the £4.5m scheme.

Full planning permission has been given for the construction of two synthetic turf pitches with fencing and floodlighting, eight floodlit tennis courts, a new pavilion and steward's living accommodation.

The scheme includes remodelling of the car park to accommodate 240 cars and five coaches.

The director of sport and recreation at the University of Southampton, Dr Bill Harris, told the Daily Echo that 20 more pitches would be brought in to community use through the ambitious scheme.

He said: "This is a partnership between the University of Southampton and Eastleigh Council with support from the Football Foundation. We are really excited about it.

"This is the culmination of a vision which started five years ago to develop a centre of excellence for sport on the south coast."

The outdoor facilities at Wide Lane form part of a package worth more than £12m which includes a new sports centre at the university's Highfield campus incorporating a 25-metre swimming pool, a hall for eight badminton courts and a 140-station fitness suite.

The £7.8m sports centre is currently being completed and is due to be opened by sports minister Richard Caborn in February.

Dr Harris said the final phase of the package would be to develop the university's water sports facility on the River Itchen.

He added: "The university has also introduced a sports scholarship scheme - which is also part of the strategy - to tempt some of the best academics who also have ability in sport to the university. There are currently three world champions at the university, four potential Olympians and a number of international sports people."

Executive councillor for leisure Alan Broad-hurst said: "This will provide a valuable asset for the community and help meet the identified shortfall of playing pitches in the borough."