Local community sports groups across the country are being invited to apply for a share of £10m from the National Lottery under the latest round of the Inspired Facilities fund.

Sport England chair Richard Lewis and sport minister Hugh Robertson launched the investment round, which is part of plans to establish a lasting Olympic legacy.

The Inspired Facilities fund is part of the wider Places People Play legacy programme and is available to boost run-down facilities that might otherwise be unappealing to participants.

Funding is also available to transform existing buildings into venues suitable for grassroots sports, with the programme designed to place sports club back at the heart of communities.

Lewis said: "We want people all over England to be able to look back on 2012 as the year when their local sports facilities got better, as well as the year the Games came to our country."

Robertson added: "These grants can make a big difference in modernising sports provision and giving facilities a new lease of life."

The first round of Inspired Facilities funding saw 350 local clubs share a £17.4m package, which included support towards a new permanent home for an Oxford boxing club.

Details: www.sportengland.org