All three universities will benefit from the new £10million Sustainable Facilities Fund. The Life Centre in Plymouth is the big winner with a grant of £1.99million towards its expected cost of £46.5million, £2.5 million of which will be funded by the University of Plymouth.

Meanwhile, Nottingham Trent University receives £700,000 towards its improvement plans, which include three new glass-backed squash courts, and Durham University gains £500,000 towards a project to refurbish and develop its sports facilities.

Chair of Sport England, Richard Lewis, said: "These investments will deliver sustainable sporting opportunities for thousands of people across the country. The high-quality facilities supported through this fund will help us deliver a lasting Olympic and Paralympic legacy of increased participation in sport.”

A spokesperson for Plymouth Council said: “The Life Centre will underline Plymouth’s growing credentials as a premier venue for local, national and even international sporting events.

“It will attract top sportsmen and women such as Plymouth-born World Diving Champion Tom Daley, as well as playing a key role in several sports’ governing bodies’ programmes to identify and nurture young talent.”