Alloa Athletic Football Club (AAFC) is poised to secure the acquisition of the town's former Zones Leisure Centre after agreeing a deal with Clackmannanshire Council.

The Scottish Second Division club plans to invest up to £450,000 in the refurbishment of outdoor pitches and installing improved playing surfaces in the centre's main sports hall, while changing and reception areas will also be upgraded. AAFC's proposals will also see the Zones Leisure Centre offer a 50 per cent subsidy on its prices up to a total of £40,000 a year for a range of user groups that will benefit from increased access to leisure provision, such as the elderly and the disabled.

Clackmannan District Brass Band, which has a long-term lease on a band hall that forms part of the Zones Leisure Centre site, will also be able to remain after AAFC held off competition from three other bidders for the venue. Bobby McGill, the council's spokesperson for leisure, said: "The community involvement aspect of Alloa Athletic's bid was key and we look forward to working closely in partnership with them."