THE NEW £7million home of Kendal RUFC at Mill Field, Shap Road, is beginning to take real shape with developments 'absolutely on track', according to senior figures.

The steel framework of the Black and Ambers' new clubhouse is now in place with the shape of the new building now clearly visible.

Drainage has gone in around the new pitch and work on the 4G training surface will continue over the winter, but the playing surface will not be seeded until spring.

The club did hit a small snag with a telephone pole in the location of the pitch which had to be removed but both director of rugby Steve Whitehead and chairman Stephen Green say work is on schedule.

Kendal expect the handover of their new ground, which could hold up to 5,000 people, to come at the end of May which will see club move from their current Mint Bridge home after more than 90 years.

Mr Green said: "We are all very happy with the way things are progressing. The steel structure is up and a lot of the pre-cast concrete parts are now going in.

"You can see where the seating is going to be and the balcony above as well.

"There's a lot going on and we are happy with the progress and we're now planning various events towards the end of May to leave the existing club and move to the new one."

Mr Whitehead added that progress of the development adds to the excitement around the club, epitomised by the first team's successful return to national league rugby which has seen them win six of their opening nine games in National League Three this season.

"A massive amount of work has been undertaken already and there's a lot more to do but this is undoubtedly one of the more exciting sporting venues the area has ever seen," he said.

"It's not in any way shape or form been done before here. The facilities are going to be first class in terms of training and it's going to be an amazing venue for the whole of the South Lakes in terms of events we can put on.

"It's a very exciting time and should be something on the landscape for a long time to come."