2018 IS set to be the year for sport in Witney as wide-ranging improvements are made to tennis, cricket and even mini-golf.

The town council, working in partnership with Parks Tennis CIC, will be bolstering facilities on The Leys and cementing its existing legacy as a recreational hub for the town.

Its increasing popularity has also led the council to explore options for parking around the ground to ensure that the growing number of people flocking to the site for sporting activities will have somewhere to leave their cars.

Suzanne Bartington, who is chairwoman of the sports and recreation committee at the council,said she was delighted to see a number of schemes promoting health and fitness moving forward.

She said: “It feels like everything is meshing together in terms of what we can achieve there, which is really exciting.

“We know that Witney lacks recreational facilities for its size, so it’s really exciting to see this recreation hub at The Leys, which is right in the centre of town.

“The legacy of The Leys is for recreational purposes. It’s already improved dramatically over the years and its good to see these new improvements.”

The cricket pitch and pavilion facilities will be improved and new cricket sightscreens will be installed to replace the existing ones, which had become 'rotten and unsafe'.

The tennis courts will be given a new access control system and a brand new look to protect the courts and bring them to life.

They will be cleaned, repainted and four mini-courts for children and families will be added.

There will also be a new community tennis coaching programme for adults and children with a Level 4 Lawn Tennis Association-qualified coach

The mini-golf, which many in Witney will remember from their childhoods, will soon be replaced with a brand new revamped ‘adventure golf’ course.

A wider array of community activities and events will be hosted by The Coffee Shed, a cafe stationed at the pavilion.

General manager at The Coffee Shed, Vonnie Whalley, said: “It’s great that Witney Town Council is continuing to protect and enhance the facilities on The Leys.

“We hope it will bring many more people to come and enjoy what’s on offer, whether that is a bite to eat, the new adventure golf course, some mini-tennis, netball or any combination of those.

“We love seeing the Witney community come together and meet up, and want The Coffee Shed to feel a bit like home.

“It’s a place for recreation, parties and events – and everyone is welcome.”