A new combined sports centre and fire station is to be developed in Toxteth, Liverpool, after a £2.3m grant from the National Lottery's Myplace scheme was given the green light.

Work is now underway on the £4.8m Toxteth Fire Fit scheme, which is one of the first such joint developments and is expected to provide a major boost to the local community. Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service (£2m) and Liverpool City Council (£500,000) have also contributed towards the development, which will see Toxteth Sports Centre demolished.

Toxteth Fire Station will now relocate to the Upper Hill Street site as part of the scheme, with facilities to include a fitness gym, a dance studio, a combat sports room and a climbing wall. A sports hall, a table tennis studio and meeting rooms will also form part of Toxteth Fire Fit, which is expected to be completed in summer 2012.

Merseyside Fire and Rescue Authority vice chair Dave Hanratty said: "The grant from MyPlace was a major milestone in making it happen and we're now looking forward to seeing the new centre take shape. "There is a clear connection between fire risk and health and fitness which is why we have been working with health providers to promote healthy lifestyles."

Details: www.merseyfire.gov.uk