Long-awaited work to repair Carlisle's Sheepmount sports stadium and running track is about to get underway.

The Carlisle City Council-owned facility, including the buildings, track and turf, were all submerged in several feet of flood water and were extensively damaged by Storm Desmond in December 2015.

Officials managed to carry out a limited clean up a few weeks after the floods so it could be used by local clubs but a full restoration project has been unable to get off the ground - until now.

Some sports leaders have criticised how long it has taken for repairs to be carried out. When work gets underway it will be more than 18 months since Storm Desmond struck the city.

A spokewoman for the city council said: "Agreeing an insurance settlement and reinstatement specification for a full repair has been a difficult and time consuming process but we have resolved these issues and we have a contractor ready to start works.

"We have delayed the start at the request of clubs and athletes who are currently making use of the facilities.

"As most athletes do not have anywhere else to train, this has minimised disruption to the start of their season.

"We recognise that the necessary works will cut short this season, however the reinstatement of the track is a weather sensitive job that it best undertaken during the summer months."

Contractors will start on site on Tuesday, July 18.

The first job the contractor will undertake, following site set up, is reinstatement of the track.

The works are scheduled to last until early next year.

A new temporary athletics facility is available at Caldew School, Dalston, during the repairs.

The facility was installed last year following a successful £25,000 grant from Sport England’s Flood Relief Fund.

The temporary football changing rooms will be retained during the construction period and it is hoped that the football season will have minimum disruption.