SPORT in Marlow has received a huge lift after an organisation won a four year battle to secure the ownership of sports facilities in Pound Lane.

Marlow Sports Club Ltd, which secured charity status in February, has purchased the Pound Lane fields, facilities and clubhouse from former landlord Whitbread.

The land has been registered as a greenfield site and the facilities are now protected for sport and leisure use to ensure Marlow's rich sporting legacy continues.

The club's charity status means the club will avoid paying Stamp Duty on the site by Higginson Park.

Chairman John Fordham said: “We're so excited that after three-to-four years of tough negotiations, all the pieces of the jigsaw have come together.

“It has been a long haul, a lot of hard work, but we have now secured the sporting facilities for the long-term benefit of everyone in Marlow.”

The club successfully prevented the site from being sold to a developer by the ex-landlord three years ago before it entered into the protracted negotiations.

A fundraising appeal will now be launched on March 31 to finance a £1.2m package which would wipe out the clubs loan debts and fund an all-weather pitch.

Planning permission has already been secured for the all-weather pitch - which Mr Fordham hopes will be up in time for the new hockey season in August.

Patrons including Marlow Olympic legend Sir Steve Redgrave and Rugby World Cup winning coach Sir Clive Woodward have both backed the cause.

Sir Steve said: “I think it’s a fantastic cause, and I’d urge everyone to reach into their pockets and ensure young and old can enjoy sport together at the Pound Lane site for many years to come.”

The club is made up of 'six sections' - Marlow Cricket Club, Marlow Youth FC, Marlow Hockey Club, Marlow Striders, Marlow Tennis Club, and Sir William Borlase Grammar School.

Visit www.marlowsportsclub.org.uk for more information.