SPORTS facilities damaged by Storm Ciara can apply for Sport England funding to carry out repairs, the public body announced yesterday.

Areas of Cumbria, Lancashire and Yorkshire have been hardest hit by the storm, with flooding and gale-force winds leaving grassroots sports facilities counting the cost.

Organisations can apply for a grant of up to £5,000 from Sport England to cover or put towards the costs of any repairs.

The organisation’s chief executive Tim Hollingsworth said: “When flooding happens, the priority must be making sure people are safe, they can get back into their homes and vital public services are back up and running.

“But we know from the floods in 2013 and 2015 that flood water can cause significant damage to sports pitches and pavilions, changing and social facilities.

“We’re making emergency funding available now so that, when the time is right, sports organisations can pay for rebuilds and repairs quickly.

“We want to ensure that the sports facilities in local communities that help keep people physically active are not forgotten in the floods so they are ready to use as soon as people want them.”

Yorkshire Sport chief executive Nigel Harrison said: “Yorkshire Sport Foundation is working with local authorities, national governing bodies of sport and other partner organisations in West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire to compile details of the facilities affected by the floods.

“The impact is far reaching and covers large parts of the area. We welcome Sport England's early intervention, and we look forward to working with them to help get the affected clubs and facilities up and running again as soon as possible.”

Blob: Manchester City’s Premier League match with West Ham, postponed due to the storm, has been rearranged for Wednesday February 19, the defending champions confirmed yesterday