A further £1.6 million will be spent on upgrading sports facilities at Welshpool High School, Powys County Council says.

The work at the school has now begun, and is set to include refurbishment of the all-weather pitch, tennis courts, long-jump pit, tennis nets, changing rooms and toilets, and the council say the improvements are designed to "compensate the school for loss of amenities" due to building works currently taking place on the school's former playing fields.

Construction work on a new English-medium school is underway on the former football and rugby pitches at Salop Road, although the site currently lies dormant due to the collapse of building contractor Dawnus.

Last week, it was revealed that an annual sports day had to be postponed due to the current lack of facilities at the school, although a smaller sports event was held in Newtown this week.

The authority says work will also take place upgrading the school’s remaining grassed rugby, football and athletics areas later this summer.

Cabinet Member for Education and Welsh Language, Councillor Myfanwy Alexander said: “Powys County Council fully appreciates the patience and goodwill shown by the community of Welshpool High School during the development of the new primary school at the Salop Road site. It is very timely, therefore, that we are in a position to be able to upgrade facilities at the High School, allowing the learners further opportunities for health, exercise and sporting excellence.”

The refurbishment work is expected to be completed by the end of August, with the facilities being available to local community groups.