AN £800,000 investment will transform a 200- year-old Grade B-listed community centre.

The makeover of the Cambuslang Institute, which was built in Greenlees Road in the 1800s, will be funded by South Lanarkshire Council.

It is currently home to a variety of sporting, cultural and meeting facilities and is managed by the council's Leisure & Culture department.

The council has worked closely with Historic Scotland to ensure the works do not damage any part of the building, built in 1898.

Work on the project will start this month and it is anticipated the renovations will be completed by next Spring.

The project received a boost with a £56,000 grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund.

This additional money will assist with the repair works and activities surrounding the research, interpretation and display of the 'scavenging' maps of the County of Lanarkshire from 1800 to pre-1974.

It will also be used to research significant events such as the 'Cambuslang Wark' gatherings of 1742, which influenced the religious revivalist movement in America.

Councillor Hamish Stewart, chairman of the council's Community Services Committee, said: "We are delighted to have been awarded this grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund which will help us safeguard the future of this iconic facility in Cambuslang."

Colin McLean, head of the Heritage Lottery Fund Scotland, said: "This project will totally rejuvenate a much-loved building.

"It demonstrates how a heritage building, while providing an important link to a community's roots, can also be adapted for the needs today.

"The Heritage Lottery Fund is always keen to hear from groups with more heritage project ideas."

Interested groups can e-mail scotland@hlf.org.uk or call 0131 225 9450.

stef.lach@ heraldandtimes.co.uk