The blaes tennis court at the Recreation Park has been transformed after a whopping £157,000 conversion.

The state-of-the-art development, which also features a new boundary fence and improved floodlighting, was completed after a two-year battle for cash by Forth Community Football Club.

"This facility is fantastic and just like playing on grass," delighted club treasurer John Whyte said.

"It is top class, state-of-the-art and will be very well used.

"A third generation pitch is as good as it gets; the same standard as professional clubs."

Forth Community FC has been desperate for the new astrograss surface to be unveiled, as a lack of lighting at its Recreation Park base meant a move to Lanark for training during the winter.

Forth's six teams, including 100 boys aged from under-nines to under-16s, were training at Lanark Racecourse pitches instead.

They'll now be using the Forth astroturf all year round, including enjoying a priority booking there between November and March.

"This new facility is invaluable to us," John added.

More than 100 peolpe attended the official opening ceremony including coaches, players, representatives of the funding partners, plus site owners South Lanarkshire Council.

For more information on this story, pick up a copy of this week's Carluke and Lanark Gazette which is in the shops now.