Sports facilities at a South Norfolk school are to be opened up for public use.

From Tuesday, March 14, local people will be able to use the sports hall, gymnasium and outdoor netball and tennis courts at Hethersett Academy after school and at the weekends.

South Norfolk Council's experienced leisure team will also be running fitness classes to encourage people to get active.

Members of the public and sports groups will be able to book and pay for use of the facilities online via the council's website.

South Norfolk councillor Clayton Hudson, cabinet member for stronger communities and leisure, said: 'By teaming up with Hethersett Academy, local people can now enjoy sporting facilities on their doorstep.

'This is part of our drive to give people of all ages and abilities greater opportunities to participate in sport and get active.'

Principal Gareth Stevens said: 'This is an exciting opportunity for Hethersett Academy to work more closely with our local community.

'This new venture further underpins our commitment to the area we serve.

'With the use of our gym, sports hall and outside facilities, the wider Hethersett community are guaranteed a superb facility where they can enjoy netball, badminton, cricket, tennis and many more sports, whatever level they're playing at.'

Members of the public can now enter the school via a new access point, which means they do not have to go through the school to reach the sports facilities. These adaptions were funded by South Norfolk Council and Sports England.

For more information or to book, visit www.south-norfolk.gov.uk/hethersett-academy

South Norfolk Council recently invested £4m to refurbish and expand Wymondham Leisure Centre and has worked in partnership in Long Stratton to create a 3G pitch which forms part of a £2.5m investment in the village's multi-sport hub.

The £440,000 investment was funded through a combination of contributions from South Norfolk Council, Long Stratton High School, Long Stratton Football Club and a significant investment from the Premier League and FA Facilities Fund of £216,598.

The state-of-the-art facility will be used extensively by the local community, with Long Stratton High School and Long Stratton FC delivering sessions to grow and develop local football.