Athletes and coaches have welcomed plans to spend almost £2.1m on repairs at an athletics stadium in Nottingham.

Nottingham City Council's proposals for the Harvey Hadden Stadium in Bilborough would see the athletics track replaced, the main stand refurbished, and improvements made to the long jump pit and throwing cages.

Notts Athletics Club runners Lucy and Sophia, both 15, organised a long-distance relay in September to raise money for repairs.

Lucy told the BBC she was "jumping for joy" after hearing the city council planned to fund improvements, while Sophia said their coaches were "so happy about it".

Earlier this year, the authority said the main stand had been closed due to "health and safety concerns" and "viable funding options" were being sought for repairs.

The city council's executive board has been recommended to approve the £2.082m project, which also includes improvements to drainage, upgraded lighting, and new CCTV, when it meets on Tuesday.

In September, Lucy and Sophia raised more than £4,000 for repairs by organising teammates to collectively run 62 miles (100km). Lucy said the council plans were more than they had hoped for.

"We only thought that the track was going to be done and then it was like a whole list of things and so we were like, 'this is amazing'," Lucy said.

"Our group chat was loads of messages," Sophia said. "It was saying, the council agreed to fund us and it was just like so exciting. We were so happy."

Lucy added she was confident the money they raised would be put to good use.

"We think equipment because obviously it's a lot more expensive than what we've raised, but I'm sure the money will be used in a good way," she said.

Jim Mann, 57, has been a sprint coach at Notts Athletics Club for 10 years. He described the council's plans as "fantastic" but "long overdue".

"Beyond the safety aspect, it's also the perception of what it looks like if you've got a decent track, if you've got a decent stand. If you've got something that looks like it's cared for and athletics is taken seriously, Nottingham looks better.

"It helps us attract more athletes," Mann added. "Hopefully we could potentially attract some decent competitions in the city as well. I think it's kind of a win-win."

The stadium and track are also used by the athletics clubs at Nottingham's two universities.

Built in the 1950s, it was partly funded by Harvey Hadden, a Nottingham textile merchant and philanthropist.

A High Court order created the Harvey Hadden Stadium Trust, a charity with the city council as the sole trustee. Under the order, the council is required to maintain the stadium.

Councillor Sam Lux, executive member for environment and sustainability at the city council, said: "Harvey Hadden Stadium is a pillar of Nottingham's sporting heritage. It has nurtured many star athletes over the years and is still absolutely an essential facility to our communities.

"Now Nottingham City Council is in a strong financial position supported by an increase in funding from the government, we are finally able to make the investments it deserves."