A NEW £530,000 pitch will host Darlington's 12th annual football festival tomorrow.

More than 250 young players will be taking part in the festival at Longfield School, which will be opened by Darlington FC's Jamie Chandler.

He will be joined by former pupil Adam Jackson, who recently returned from representing England in the Under 17s UEFA Championships, in Serbia.

Councillor Cyndi Hughes, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "This promises to be an exciting day for these young people who can enjoy the thrill of representing their schools and play on Longfield's new pitch."