RUGBY legend Rob Andrew is backing a project aimed at providing young sportsmen and women with a top quality sports pitch.

A £420,000 fighting fund was launched at Durham School last night to develop a multi-purpose artificial sports surface.

The independent co-educational school suffers during the winter months because so many matches are played on the same pitches in bad weather.

It means that several of the sports fields at the Quarryheads Lane site are cut up badly in the wet winter period and then rut and divot during the drier summer months.

The proposed all-weather artificial turf pitch would cater for the full range of sports played at Durham School and the neighbouring preparatory Bow School.

Although unable to attend last night's launch at the school, Rob Andrew has agreed to front the fundraising drive.

The ex-Wasps and England fly-half, now director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons, spent some time as an occasional coach at the school.

Campaign director Jan Miskelly said: "We have earmarked a site for the pitch, near the chapel, and the target is to begin work in the summer, with the appeal closing by Christmas.

"All being well, we hope to have the pitch ready for use by the end of the year, as well."

Anyone interested in supporting the appeal is asked to contact Ms Miskelly, at the school, on 0191-384 5445.