New 3G pitch hailed as 'huge' for village

The 3G pitch at Farmor's School will replace this field. [BBC] Sports clubs and a school say a new 3G pitch will be "huge" for their prospects. The pitch, costing more than £1m, at Farmor's School in Fairford, Gloucestershire, is expected to open later this year, with a planning application expected to be submitted this month.

As well as providing an all-weather playing surface for the school's football and rugby teams, other local sides will have access and say they will have to cancel fewer games as a result. Around 45% of the cost has come from a Cotswold District Council infrastructure levy, with the rest being raised by the school through grants, donations and fundraising. More from Gloucestershire Road closed after crash involving two vehicles Concerns new homes may pose security risk to King Crematorium gets £5m upgrade and goes green Staff at Farmor's School currently have to fill in rabbit holes with mud before sessions, but hope the upgrade will provide a more even, predictable surface.

Year 8 pupil Holly, who plays in the Southampton FC Women's academy, said: "When you play on astro, it's flatter and you don't get the bumps, so you can play better generally. " She added: "When I come back to playing on the grass here, it can be really boggy and you can't do anything with the football. " Year 11 pupil Lily agreed, saying: "Compared to normal grass, they are a much, much nicer surface to play on, because they're flat, they're even, they're smooth and there's no risk of games getting cancelled because they're flooded or frozen.

" Football coach Adam Sloman says the pitch will provide a more consistent surface for young players [BBC] Richard Lewis says the pitch will allow Fairford RFC to begin its journey towards having a permanent home [BBC] The pitch will also be loaned to Fairford Youth Football Club and Fairford Rugby Club. The youth football club, which has more than 300 players, has been forced to send some teams to train as far away as Swindon because bad weather often leaves its own pitches unusable. Chairman and coach Adam Sloman said: "It's going to be huge for the club.