A football club is asking members of its community to help it win funding towards a major renovation project.

Thetford Town FC is among community groups around the county vying for a donation from the Aviva Community Fund.

The clubhouse at the football ground on Mundford Road was built in the 1950s by a team of supporters and local people, but Thetford FC chairman Nigel Armes, who took over the post two years ago, says the facility has 'unfortunately seen better days'.

The cost of the renovation has been estimated at £380,000.

In a pitch to Aviva for the community funding, Mr Armes said the club's facilities had seen little investment over the past 20 years, which 'unfortunately has made operating the club very difficult'.

He said: 'The facilities there are very old and antiquated. To get the football club up we need the facilities.

'We have a lot of local lads playing football with us and everything is looking bright for the future if we can get the clubhouse done.'

The club, which dates back to 1883, has already secured a grant from Breckland Council towards the clubhouse project and has applied for funding from the Football Association, which could total up to £100,000.

Last week Mr Armes received a cheque for £3,125 from Thetford Town Council on behalf of the club as part of its community grants scheme.

A project to replace the 250-capacity stands at the grounds is already underway and the club is also looking for funding to replace its pitches, which are used by first and reserves teams, academy and veterans' side.

For more information about the projects go to www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk