Rhys Jones fund scales down Croxteth sports centre plan

Rhys Jones was murdered in 2007 as he walked home from football practice

A charity founded in memory of a Liverpool schoolboy who was shot dead in the street has had to scale down plans for a new sports centre.

A £1.5m community centre had been planned by the Rhys Jones Memorial Fund on Croxteth Park, but the slow economy meant plans had to be reviewed.

Instead, the new sports centre will have two all-weather football pitches with a gym and a new dance studio.

Rhys Jones was shot as he walked home from football practice in August 2007.

The 11-year-old was the innocent victim of a gang feud.

The original plans for the centre had included a sports hall, badminton courts, an auditorium, cafe, youth centre and gym.

The charity said the decision to opt for a scaled-down project came after consulting with Rhys's parents Melanie and Stephen.

It is hoped that the centre, to be based on land off Langley Close, Croxteth Park. will be built by the summer.

The centre will be open for public use and also local schools.

Sean Mercer, of Croxteth, was jailed for life in December 2008 for the murder of Rhys.