VALLEYFIELD aims to box clever and use £20,000 to get on the train track and help kids get sporty.

A blueprint to develop the village over the next five years includes a passenger rail link, lighting for the skate park, backing for a credit union and improvements to public transport.

And money will be given to assist Valleyfield's boxers and footballers, as well as the community club, St Serf's Parents Council and the Tiny Tots.

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust helped a local steering group draw up an action plan and provided £20,000 to help get priority projects off the ground.

Residents found out more at the plan's official launch in Valleyfield Community Centre recently and steering group member Rab McKenzie said: “It was a really great day, with a much bigger than expected turnout, and excellent contributions from the organisations and groups who received funding.

“I’m really pleased that the local children have played such a big part in the process.

"It was a wee boy at one of the schools who suggested floodlights for the skate park, and the Valart Mural in the underpass is based on local pupils ideas and suggestions."

Most of the groups who received a share of the cash were able to tell villagers about their projects and how the proposals will enhance the area.

The plan backs efforts to secure a passenger rail link for Valleyfield, supports a new credit union and contains proposals for young people including lighting the skate park and improving public transport to help them get to colleges and take work opportunities.

Valleyfield Community Club will get £5,300 to refurbish their premises while the local boxing club, amateur and youth football clubs received backing to buy new kit or equipment, as did St Serf’s Parents Council and the Tiny Tots.

Residents will also be kept better informed about the plan's progress through noticeboards and a newsletter.

Bob Young, Scottish trustee of the Coalfields Regeneration Trust, said: “There are lots of excellent proposals in this action plan, and I am particularly pleased that local groups and organisations have committed to build on their already strong links with each other.

“I am sure the action plan will make a huge difference to Valleyfield over the next few years."

The Coalfields Regeneration Trust was formed in 1999 to help mining communities recover from the devastating effects of pit closures.

Since then the trust, which receives funding from the Scottish Government, has spent over £20m supporting over 700 community-based and job creation projects.