A village rugby club wants to extend its clubhouse after a wave of interest in the sport.

Grove RFC, based at the recreation ground off Cane Lane, wants to build five new changing rooms, a new function room and bar area, and a fitness and weights room.

The renovations would cost about £300,000 and would involve extending into the club's car park.

The plan comes after a successful year, during which the club raised enough money to pay for a full-time rugby teacher, Richard Williams, to work in King Alfred's Community and Sports College and local primary schools.

Former club chairman Roger Williams said: "The club is doing really well, and the number of junior members is rising at a dramatic rate because of our decision to pay for a rugby teacher at King Alfred's."

But the club's success is stretching its facilities, and it wants to double the number of changing rooms -- which are also used by the village football teams -- to 10, and create separate changing areas for women because an under-15's girls team is being set up.

The plan to develop the bar and function room area would mean the facilities could be hired out for weddings and parties.

It is planned that village residents would also be able to use the proposed new fitness room.

Mr Williams said: "It's an ambitious plan, but we're an ambitious club. We're a community-based club, and we want the community to be part of what we do."

The plans have been submitted to the Vale of White Horse District Council.