All-weather pitch moves closer with £600,000 grant

In total, £800,000 will be allocated to build the pitches

Worcester has been awarded a £600,000 grant for a new 3G all-weather football pitch.

Funding from the Premier League, The FA and the government's Football Foundation will go towards the pitch next to Perdiswell Leisure Centre.

Worcester City Council will also invest an additional £200,000 from its own funds.

Once open, the new pitch will be available for use by local sports clubs, organisations and schools.

Research by the Football Foundation had shown a shortfall in all-weather facilities in Worcester.

The Worcester City Council playing pitch and outdoor sports strategy, published in 2022, also identified the need for a 3G pitch.

Councillor Jabbar Riaz, chair of the city council's communities committee, said: "I would like to thank the Football Foundation for this significant investment, that will bring a major boost to our city's sports offering.

"Planning permission is already in place, so we hope to get construction underway in the very near future and have the 3G pitch open later this year."

Mr Riaz confirmed the all-weather facility would be open every day.

Jack Handsaker from Worcestershire FA said: "The local football community will benefit as a result of this investment and we look forward to supporting our clubs further once the facility is open to the public."