SPORTSMEN and women in Oxford are set for a major boost with the construction of what promises to be the best sports hall in the city.

Magdalen College School's 2m development is due to be completed in the summer.

And while it is primarily for school use, the public and clubs will be able to use it out of school hours and during school holidays.

The massive sports hall is 35m long and 22m wide. It will offer space for a county standard basketball court, four badminton courts or four cricket nets.

Work on the development reached a significant stage this week when a topping out ceremony was held to celebrate the completion of the roof.

Magdalen headmaster Andrew Halls said: "It was a vision a year or two ago and recently it has been in doubt, but now it is bricks and mortar and will be the most splendid sports hall in Oxford.

"It will be a wonderful facility for the boys. I can't tell you how excited the boys are that their school is going to have this sports hall."

The Oxfordshire Cricket Board have already identified the hall as a centre of excellence for cricket.

The nets will allow an additional three metres run-up for fast bowlers in two of the lanes. And the flooring of cushioned latex will allow cricketers to bowl directly on to the floor.

Beyond the hall will be a squash court, a fitness centre with the latest cardio-vascular and strength equipment, a sound system and Sky TV.

A separate aerobics studio will cater for judo and other martial arts. The development will also include a cafe with a viewing area overlooking the sports hall.

There will also be a bar area, plus facilities for lectures and seminars.

And the development doesn't stop there as Milham Ford has been transformed into a floodlit multi-use games area suitable for football and hockey. Six new tennis courts complete the picture.