HUNDREDS of coaches are being hired to work with children who attend a major community sports hub.

The move is being made after Glasgow Airport donated £25,000, which will also be used to provide extra training for existing sports coaches and volunteers.

The cash injection is coming from the airport's FlightPath Fund and is going to the Erskine, Bishopton and Inchinnan Community Sports Hub in Renfrewshire.

It was launched two years ago and currently represents 11 sports clubs which have a combined membership of 1100 children who live in the three towns.

The money will be used to fill 400 places on coach education awards for locals over the next three years.

The sports covered will include athletics, badminton, basketball, cycling, dance, disability sport, football, rugby, swimming and tennis.

Volunteers will also be attracted from two local secondary schools - Park Mains High and Trinity High - as well as young jobless people who are not in education or training.

Hundreds of other places will also be funded for courses ranging from first aid to child protection. The cash boost is welcomed by hub officials as well as local politicians.

Councillor Iain Nicolson, who sits on the FlightPath Fund committee, said: "What stood out about the sports hub project was the number of people of all ages who will benefit, and of course the wide variety of sports covered."

And fellow committee member councillor Sam Mullin added: "With this being the year Scotland will host its biggst ever sporting event, there will never be a better opportunity to make the most of the feelgood factor around the Commonwealth Games to promote grassroots coaching and participation."

gordon.thomson@ eveningtimes.co.uk