A scheme to transform sports and community facilities in Porthleven has been given a boost with a grant for £14,000.

This has come from the Armed Forces Covenant, which gives grants to areas where children from the armed forces live and are educated. It is the first grant in a major scheme that would eventually cost £90,000 if it all comes to fruition.

This would see a new playground, multi-use games area and ‘trim trail’ created at Porthleven Primary School.

It would mean the school could host football tournaments and also open up the facilities to the community, making sure they were used both during and out of school hours.

Leigh Yates, from the school’s parent teacher association that applied for the grant and is behind the project, said: “We’re trying to stop asking the village for money and we’re making this a facility for lots of groups that struggle to find facilities in the village.”

The initial £14,000 will fund the first stage of work – the playground.

Leigh added: “We’re very grateful. This is life changing for us, for a small school with a big heart. It’s such a lovely positive start to the new term.”

It is hoped further grants will follow, with the school also hosting its own fundraising, to ensure the second and third stages of the project also.

Leigh thanked RNAS Culdrose, which she said had been a “massive, massive support” to the school, and in particular Commander John Lee who was on the application board, together with Carole Theobald who she also thanked.