Kent County Council has backed plans for a new four-court beach volleyball complex in Canterbury.

Canterbury High School is behind the proposals, which were approved by councillors at a meeting at the start of August.

The proposed new facility would replace four grass tennis courts at the city's Victoria Memorial Recreation Ground, now considered to be unusable due to vandalism and the high cost of maintenance. The plans also include the provision of space for up to 1,400 spectators.

The land on which the new development is located is owned by Canterbury City Council, which has agreed in principle a lease with the school for the use of the site.

Both Sport England and Kent County Council's Sports Development Unit support the scheme, and it is hoped that a new beach volleyball facility will be able to attract high-profile international events, as well as being used as a pre-2012 Olympics training venue.