AN HISTORIC sports pavilion destroyed by arson two years ago is to rebuilt thanks to a £150,000 Sport England grant.

The pavilion, set in Dallam School's Tristram Playing Fields at Heversham, was built in the 1920s to commemorate fallen World War One soldiers from Heversham Grammar School. It was completely destroyed by fire in 2012.

"It was a small wooden structure and vulnerable to arson attack," said Dallam School head teacher William Bancroft. "It is being replaced with a substantial build that will contain a large social space, kitchen, home and away changing rooms and disabled toilets. "The development will significantly enhance the playing fields facility which will mean they can be used not just by the school but by a wide range of community groups for social events and even weddings."

It will be named after the late John Handley, a pupil at Heversham Grammar School, governor at Heversham and Dallam and past president of the Heversham Grammar School Old Pupils Society.

The grant is one of three given by Sport England to organisations in South Lakeland in the latest £10m round of National Lottery funding from its Inspired Facilities fund.

Dallam Swimming Club, which houses south Cumbria's only open-air swimming pool, has been thrown a £50,000 lifeline following a two-year closure while Kendal Cricket Club will use its £75,000 to upgrade both its outdoor and indoor facilities.

Head of the fundraising team at the swimming club, Drusilla Pickthall, said the announcement would cause a huge splash among all those who campaigned to save the 20m by 10m pool.

She explained: “Dallam Swimming Club needed £62,000 for essential repairs and an energy efficient air source heat pump, a very large sum for a small group to find.

“We had raised £14,100 locally from members, grants and donations, but thanks to SE we hope to have the pool up and running again next year.”

Over the years, it has helped thousands of children learn to swim, with many youngsters going on to train as lifeguards.

And Paul Fearnyough, from Kendal Cricket Club, said the cash will be used to install a three-bay net complex, upgrade its artificial wicket and refurbish changing rooms and the bar area inside its Shap Road clubhouse.

"It is much-needed and a real boost for us," said Mr Fearnyough, the club's junior cricket co-ordinator. "It is a big development for increasing participation numbers for the local community and schools.

"The changing rooms upgrade will also allow us to host county games. The grant is an endorsement we are running the club in the right way."