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Football opportunities are set to increase in a West Lothian village after £1.5 million was invested into a new facility at its local club.

Blackburn United Community Football Club has received funding from West Lothian Council and sportscotland to upgrade its new changing pavilion at Murrayfield Park.

The development includes six changing rooms, referee changing and community club room, as well as a new 11-a-side grass pitch.

Proposals are also progressing for a new floodlit, seven-a-side, third generation synthetic turf pitch for the site.

The new facilities are the culmination of years of hard work by Blackburn United, which was formed in 2004 by Blackburn United Junior FC and the local youth football teams, supported by the West Lothian Council and the Scottish FA.

A special football festival was held to mark the opening of the pavilion, with a number of the club’s youth sides taking part.

Scottish FA facilities manager Cameron Watt said: “It's great to see another fantastic new football facility delivered in the shape of New Murrayfield Park. I'm sure it will be one which will have a huge impact on the local football community.

“The new facilities will help create an even better environment for players to play football in.

“It will be good to see the club develop even further in the future with plans afoot for a new seven-a-side 3G pitch.”

West Lothian’s Executive councillor for culture and leisure, Dave King, said: “We are delighted to support this £1.5million investment in top class sporting facilities for Blackburn.

“The new pavilion will provide a massive boost to sporting opportunities in the village, by providing a local sporting hub for the community which will help the development of opportunities for participation in physical activity, volunteering and diversionary programmes. "

Scottish FA South East region club development manager David Sheldon said:" It's fantastic news that this great club in West Lothian have built this superb new facility.

"The club is at the heart of its community and having a fantastic pavilion like this will only attract new players in the future."

Ian McGinty, Blackburn United chairperson, added: “The excellence of our new facility here at New Murrayfield Park will help us continue to provide opportunities for the wider community of Blackburn to become involved in football from a young age through to adulthood in a safe, friendly and developmental environment.

“The club are delighted to have received the support of West Lothian Council and sportscotland in reaching where we are today and such support recognises the excellent work that is carried out by our countless volunteers and well qualified coaches, as well as the contributions the club has made and continues to make to our local community.”