A PLAYING field in a Tyne Valley village looks set to be transformed into a multi-use community facility.

The Corchester playing field at Corbridge is a popular venue for villagers, even though it no longer hosts competitive sport.

Corbridge Parish Council wants to restore the dilapidated pavilion at the site, and create a meadow area which could be used for barbecues and other communal gatherings.

If the scheme went ahead, junior-sized goalposts could be installed on the existing football pitch, which would be shortened to provide extra recreation space.

Parish councillors spoke at length about the playing field at their meeting on Wednesday, which took place via videolink.

Council chairman Coun. William Clouston said: “The field is currently mowed and people are using it.

“The pavilion is now an issue, it needs a new fascia board and has some roofing issues. It would be nice to provide somewhere for people to gather and have barbecues.”

Coun. Clouston said any project would have to receive consent from English Heritage, with Roman remains present beneath the surface of the field.

Northumberland county councillor for Corbridge, Coun. Nick Oliver, suggested that the community would be willing to fund-raise for the project, and he also claimed he would be willing to make a contribution from his council member’s allowance.

However, Coun. Oliver said other funding sources could be explored, but stressed that the parish council would have to fund up to 50 per cent of the costs.

Councillors agreed that the scheme could lead to a worthwhile communal facility, but stressed it wouldn’t make any final decisions without wider consultation with the community.