A £1m Big Lottery Fund investment has been announced for a proposed new community centre in Forgewood, Motherwell.

Forgewood Housing Co-operative is behind the plans and is one of 11 projects to benefit from a share of almost £6m from the Big Lottery Fund Scotland's Investing in Communities programme.

Under the plans for the community centre, the existing building would be demolished, with a new double-storey centre in its place. It would deliver vital services including skills development, welfare and money advice and health services for the local community, as well as host a range of social and recreational activities such as a parent and toddlers group and an older people's lunch club.

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John Mulholland, Director of the Forgewood Housing Co-operative, said: "The award from the Big Lottery Fund will have a significant impact on the residents of Forgewood. This project is about bringing the community together to enjoy recreational and social activity in a building and environment which they can be proud of.

"The new centre will also be a hub for service provision to the local community. Services provided from the new building will include housing advice, health advice and assistance, money and welfare advice and wider social benefits. This building will bring about real positive change for the community of Forgewood."

Maureen McGinn, Big Lottery Fund, Scotland Chair, added: "In Forgewood this community hub will help to inject new life into the area, benefiting people of all ages and providing new services based around local needs."

(JP/MH)