A NEW £1m world class all weather school and community pitch has been given the official seal of approval from a sporting legend.

British Lions player Sir Ian McGeechan cheered students on in a rugby game as he officially opened the pitch at Ripon Grammar School which will also be used by the wider community.

Sir Ian said: "A sports field doesn’t make character, it finds it and develops it. The association of sport with the development of young people is so important. Sport in a school makes good pupils and good people and to have an incredible facility like this now is a tremendous asset to Ripon Grammar and the whole community. The more facilities there are like this, the more pupils and the community will benefit."

The new development includes a full-size FIFA compliant football pitch and three seven-a-side football pitches, along with the full-size World Rugby compliant artificial pitch. It's been funded by Persimmon Homes,as part of planning requirements for a new housing development in the city. It will also be used for a wide variety of sports, including lacrosse, rounders and athletics, as well as rugby and football and by three local partner clubs.

Headmaster Jonathan Webb said it is an important facility for the school and sports clubs across the community of Ripon.