SPORTS groups in Petersfield put on a special show for town councillors at the weekend in a bid to highlight what they claim is a desperate need for new facilities in the town.

Members of the town council were invited to tour the town on Saturday and see for themselves the needs of Petersfield's sporting groups, who have made individual wish lists.

Despite the fact that it was half term and not even the season for hockey, around 60 youngsters attended a session at Petersfield Hockey Club.

Town councillors watched the session and were then given a presentation during which club members said they urgently needed a permanent clubhouse as well as a synthetic pitch, possibly in conjunction with Petersfield Rugby Club.

Town councillors then visited Petersfield Cricket Club, where they watched players in action.

Sports leaders have already complained that cricket suffers in Petersfield because, they claim, practice nets are not allowed on the Heath because they are classed as a permanent structure.

Councillors also visited The Avenue Playing Fields to watch tennis coaching.

The courts have been the subject of controversy for several years because the town's tennis players claim they are in need of major repairs to make them first-class facilities.

There was further anger when basketball posts were placed on one of the courts, making them dangerous to use for serious tennis, claimed players.

On Saturday town councillors also went to Penns Place on their tour to see the rugby club, where members are struggling to provide changing rooms following the town council's decision to give up its right to the use of changing rooms at the Taro Centre.

Petersfield Town Council and East Hampshire District Council have given the club a £25,000 grant to provide temporary changing rooms next season, but members say they need to provide a permanent solution to their problems if rugby is to thrive in the town.

Chairman of the Petersfield Sports Council Julie Butler told The Herald: "The day was intended for councillors to see for themselves what sport in Petersfield is about ."

She added: 'The town council don't understand that we have these needs so we organised a day of sport."

"I personally would like to thank the councillors for taking the day out to spend with us," said Mrs Butler,

"We are aware that the town council doesn't have enough funds to put thousands of pounds into sports facilities but I would love to see the public have better facilities in Petersfield. The clubs have individually made a wish list of things to have in the future if money is made available."

After the sports tour town councillor George Watkinson told The Herald: "It was well organised and very interesting. It gave both sides the opportunity to talk about their aspirations for the future and for the town council to put forward our problems with money."

Mr Watkinson said he hoped the clubs would repeat the tour next year to explain their problems to the incoming town council.

The sports tour on Saturday followed claims earlier this year that sports enthusiasts in Petersfield were getting a raw deal.

They said they were hoping to put forward their own candidates for Petersfield Town Council at the next election.

Leading sportsmen and women in the town have long criticised the council for what they claim has been its negative attitude to sport.

In April Petersfield Hockey Club president Andy Owen said: "There are a number of sporting associations in the town that feel it is necessary to redress the balance between the thespians on the town council and the sporting community."

The moves coincide with planning developments which could give the town council an estimated £3m windfall from the sale of land at Penns Farm and sports representatives want to make sure they get their slice of the cake.