FUNDING has been secured to resurface the outdoor sports pitch at the Lakes School, Troutbeck Bridge, with a state-of-the-art multi-sport surface.

The school and Windermere Hockey Club have been awarded £150,000 from Lakes Leisure and £40,000 from the National Hockey Foundation. Once complete the new pitch will allow the school to offer top quality year-round facilities for sports participation in the community.

"As a PE teacher myself it's wonderful to see such investment in this facility," said head teacher Andy Cunningham. "We have a strong partnership with Windermere Hockey Club who have done some amazing work to secure funding for this development which will help to inspire sports stars of the future.'

The school's 'astro turf' sports pitch has been a well-used and popular facility which has served the local community for many years. Outside of school hours, it is used by youth and adult groups and clubs, who use it to train and play sport, mainly hockey and football. The playing surface is in a state of disrepair and is badly in need of replacement.

""With this funding the school will not only be able to maintain current usage, which would inevitably cease if the pitch were to be closed, but will also help increase sports participation due to the high quality, sought after surface," said Mr Cunningham.

Work started on creating the new pitch on Monday and it is expected to be completed by June 1.