EXTRA cash has been annouonced for a new paddle-sports centre on the Forth and Clyde Canal near the city centre.

Keith Brown, transport minister, revealed another £1 million for Scotland's canals with almost half of the money set aside for landscaping works at the new centre at Pinkston.

Mr Brown said the cash for 'shovel ready' projects is in addition to that already allocated.

The £450,000 will pay for decking and landscaping works on the banks of the canal.

The £2.2m centre, between Port Dundas and Maryhill, was announced last year and reported in the Evening Times .

The city council is also providing cash, with more than £500,000 allocated towards the project.

Mr Brown said: "I am delighted to announce additional funding to Scottish Canals, which builds on our commitment to supporting the organisation in its regeneration work.

"This funding will go some considerable way to improving the visitor experience at Pinkston Watersports."

Work on the centre is ongoing and one stage of the centre and work on the canal was completed this week.

Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, said: "We're delighted that Pinkston Watersports has received additional 'shovel ready' funding and the completion of the short course today marks a major step forward for the project.

"While the centre will train the Olympians of tomorrow, this Legacy 2014 project is about much more than medals.

"By offering competition-grade facilities and coaching just a mile from Glasgow city centre and less than an hour's drive away for more than three million Scots, Pinkston Watersports will bring jobs and income to Glasgow and is the latest stage in the regeneration of the area that has already seen a cultural quarter flourish around nearby Speirs Locks".

stewart.paterson@ eveningtimes.co.uk