The scheme will see the final bids made for a complete refurbishment of the facilities including the provision of a rubberised running track, significantly improved male and female dressing facilities for seniors and juniors, improved stadium facilities and pitch improvements for Morpeth Town FC, FC Morpeth Juniors and Morpeth Town Juniors as well as Morpeth Harriers and the 22 other clubs which use the current area.

The project is being kicked off with a £300,000 funding bid to Sport England's Community Investment fund, to be followed by a similar bid to the Football Foundation.

If successful, the refurbishment is expected to be complete by early 2010, and will provide South East Northumberland with the only such athletics facility. The nearest at the minute is in Hexham.

Morpeth Harriers secretary Mike Bateman said: "This is something we've looked forward to for many years.

"A proper all-weather track is vital to the long term development of sport in the area and we look forward to seeing a great plan come together over the next couple of years."

Coun Glen Sanderson, executive member for communities, said: "This is a major investment for the council.

"Castle Morpeth Borough Council has a long-held commitment to sports development, and we know there's a wealth of athletics and football talent in the area.

"Members, officers and partners have invested time and significant resources in this project, which gives us the opportunity to nurture and develop that talent, giving our football teams and the Harriers a proper home at last.

"It's taken a couple of years of hard work and negotiation with a range of partners, we are very lucky to have such local support.

"These bids are the final step towards a really worthwhile goal for the whole of south east Northumberland."