AN ambitious project costing more than half a million pounds has been completed as part of Chipping Campden School's 575th anniversary celebrations.

The floodlit all-weather surface created by contractors S&C Slatters provides a full size hockey pitch or two junior pitches and a full size football pitch or three junior pitches. In addition there will be a cricket mat that will enable cricket training to take place regardless of weather conditions.

The new pitches mean that the school will be able to significantly improve its sport offer to students all year round, and local clubs and the community will be able to access it at evenings and weekends.

In order for the project to get off the ground, Chipping Campden School received grants from a number of sources including the school trust, school governors, Sports England, Cotswold District Council, Gloucestershire County Council and Gloucestershire Land Fill Fund.

There is, however, a significant short fall in funding and the school is hoping to raise £50k before the end of the year to help remedy this.

Principal John Sanderson said: “I can honestly say that seeing the excitement of the students as they first stepped out onto the completed pitches made the years of planning and fund raising all worthwhile. As a school we are very grateful to the various local and national grant fund holders for their partnership in enabling us to realise this ambition and must acknowledge the contribution made by S&C Slatters in delivering such a first class facility on time and on budget.

"To have built it during the year of our 575 celebrations is particularly special and I now look forward to seeing it being used as a major focal point for sport development at the school and in the wider community.”

There will be an official opening on July 4 during the school’s Day of Celebration to mark 575 years since the school’s founding in 1440.

The new pitches are available for local sports groups to hire.