Garstang Ladies Hockey Club is in its 50th year, but has to play its matches in Preston due to a lack of facilities and has no official accreditation.

Plans to change all that, however, are now under way after the club forged links with the council's leisure development team.

The two will now work together towards achieving ClubsFirst status, a national recognition scheme that shows the club has a number of standards in place such as child protection policies and the right level of coaching.

This in turn will make it easier to apply for grants and could also help in the search for playing facilities closer to home.

Ashley Hackett, community sports co-ordinator for Wyre Borough Council, said: "Being officially accredited is important for a sports club that wants to move forward because it shows a commitment to doing things right.

"We can use our experience of sports development to help the club get the necessary policies in place and advise on where they should be looking to invest any funds.

"Hockey is a sport we'd like to see develop in Wyre, especially among younger people, and linking up with Garstang Ladies is a step in the right direction.

Club coach David Gee, added: "The club is more than ready to move forward, but up to now we haven't had the guidance we need.

"What we'd like to see is a new third team to act as a feeder system for our current crop of excellent juniors and enable them to experience senior hockey as soon as they are capable.

"I'm sure the support of the Leisure Development team will prove invaluable for this."

Garstang Ladies Hockey Club has two teams in the Central Lancashire Ladies League, one of which is in the Premier Division.

The junior section coaches girls aged 12-15. Anyone interested in joining the club should contact David Gee on 07774 792824.