HAMMER throwers across Dudley could be in for a boost if council chiefs agree to invest in improving facilities.

The hammer throw cage and circle at the Dell Stadium has been out of action since May after being condemned as unfit for use.

But members of Dudley Council’s cabinet will be asked to rubber-stamp proposals, which would see up to £33,000 invested in replacing it with a new one.

Dudley and Stourbridge Harriers Athletics Club, which runs from the Pensnett centre, are to make a contribution towards the cost, while the council is proposing to borrow the rest and pay it back over five years through additional income coming in from hire of the new 3G football pitch at the stadium.

Councillor Ian Kettle, cabinet member for regeneration and enterprise, said: “We want to keep our best young athletes in the borough, and to do that we need to invest to give them the facilities they need.

“The hammer is an event where medals have been desperately few and far between for Britain. It would be fantastic if the next one was from Dudley and I welcome this investment.

“With it being funded ultimately from income coming into the council through hire of our facilities, it won’t cost the taxpayer a penny, so it’s win-win.

The proposal will be discussed at the meeting of the cabinet on Wednesday (September 12).