Youngsters can enjoy their football all year round, after their new all-weather pitch was officially declared open.

Children from the Cleveland Hall Community Association, based at the former Lyndhurst school, in Beacon Lough, Gateshead, opened the £160,000 pitch, with a game kicked off by the Mayor of Gateshead, Councillor David Lynn and Sunderland AFC's Paul Thirwell.

Bob Boustead, of the association, said: "Gateshead Council has always been very supportive of local organisations who encourage young people to get actively involved in sport.

"We already coach and train hundreds of local youngsters every week at the club, and I am sure that this new all-weather pitch will encourage even more young people to get involved in regular healthy sport and exercise."

The pitch was provided thanks to a grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, with support from Gateshead Council's Single Regeneration Budget, youth group Connexions and Gateshead College.

Hundreds of youngsters already attend regular football coaching and festivals at the site and the new pitch is expected to attract hundreds more every week.

Cleveland Hall Boys' Club, which is run by volunteers, has provided sports facilities for more than 10,000 local youngsters since 1955.