Wheelchair users can take full advantage of the facilities at Marlborough Golf Club thanks to a £50,000 grant from the Hills Group.

The grant, which was made available through the Landfill Communities Fund, has been used to install a stair lift along with improvements to the existing toilet facilities – creating space for a new disabled toilet.

Plans to build all-year tennis facilities on the practice area of the golf club were also a consideration for the project because Marlborough Tennis Club intends to include provision for wheelchair tennis.

The final stage of the project has been to create a new golf range which is also open to members of the public.

David Capel, chairman of Marlborough Golf Club’s development committee, said: “The new golf range is all about giving everyone the opportunity to come along and have a go at hitting a few balls without the intimidation of going on the course. “We hope it will encourage more people to come and enjoy spending some time outdoors, getting a bit of exercise and perhaps even discovering a passion for the game.

“It’s one of the few sports that has no age barrier and can be enjoyed by the whole family.”

Mr Capel and the golf club’s general manager, Les Trute, met Alan Pardoe, chairman of the Hills Group, on Tuesday to mark the end of the work.

Mr Trute said: “One of our biggest problems was that wheelchair users and visitors with mobility restrictions had no way of gaining access to the clubhouse, bar and restaurant facilities which are all located on the first floor. “Unlike a lot of other golf clubs, Marlborough has opened its facilities for use by the general public and we had to address this issue. “The views across the Marlborough Downs from the clubhouse are some of the best in the area and it seemed a shame that not everyone was able to share in the enjoyment.”