Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced that £3m of National Lottery funding is to be invested by Sport England in the development of two facilities across the West Midlands.

Worcester Community Sports Arena and Dawley Sports and Learning Community, Telford, will each receive a £1.5m grant distributed through the agency's Iconic Facilities fund.

The University of Worcester is behind the city's new £10m venue, which has been designed by Robert Limbrick Architects and is being delivered by contractor Willmott Dixon.

Due to open in spring 2012, the Worcester Community Sport Arena is to include a 12-court sports hall; a centre of excellence for disability sport; and seating for up to 1,850 spectators.

Meanwhile, Birse is due to start construction work on the new Kier Moss-designed Dawley Sports and Learning Community next year and is being led by Telford and Wrekin Council.

It will comprise an eight-court sports hall; a fitness suite; and an outdoor national-standard BMX track, while offering a regional base for cycling, rugby league and table tennis.

Hunt said: "This £3m investment will transform community sport in Worcester and Telford, helping to create a lasting sporting legacy from London's Olympic and Paralympic Games."

Sport England chief executive Jennie Price added: "From sporting beginners to experts, everyone in the Telford and Worcester areas can now look forward to playing sport in world-class facilities."

Image: Worcester Community Sports Arena