AN artificial sports pitch is to be refurbished after a charity donated more than £78,000 to help grassroots football.

Meadowfield Leisure Centre, in Durham City, has been awarded the grant by the sports charity The Football Foundation.

The grant will also be used to create a new pitch using the latest high tech surface, suitable for 11-a-side games and can also be divided into three smaller pitches.

It is hoped that the refurbishment will offer wider playing opportunities for local sports clubs, Durham County Council’s On The Ball scheme, and the wider community.

Councillor Maria Plews, Durham County Council’s cabinet member with responsibility for sport and leisure services, said: "This funding will allow us to develop a first-class facility through which we will be able to deliver a wider and better quality programme of activities."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said "I look forward to seeing the end result in the near future. This is a tremendous opportunity to create a grassroots legacy."

Work on the new pitch is expected to be completed in October.