Footballers looking to emulate their national and local sporting heroes will soon be able to hone their skills all year round on the first state of the art 3G pitch in the Moorlands.

Staffordshire Moorlands District Council has provided a grant of £100,000 towards the conversion of the grass pitch at Leek Town FC's Harrison Park ground and has worked with the Club, Staffordshire FA and the Football Foundation to secure the rest of the funding for this £665k conversion project.

Both the Council's Playing Pitch Strategy and its Local Football Facility Plan have identified demand for three full sized 3G pitches across the District with the recommendation that one is sited in Leek.

Work is now well underway on the installation of the new facility which will be made available for a wide range of community uses when complete.

Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Leisure and Sports, Councillor Mark Deaville, joined Club Chairman Jon Eeles at the Harrison Park site to view progress on the project.

Councillor Deaville said: "Interest in football is particularly high at the moment after the Euros and the fantastic performance of the England men's senior team in reaching the final. So we can expect that to translate into an increase in the number of people wanting to take up the game here in the Moorlands.

"That's great news as the benefits to both physical and mental wellbeing from being more active are well documented. It's why we at the Council place such importance on investing in quality sporting facilities that provide places for people to enjoy taking part in activities.

"This all weather pitch in Leek will be available for a wide range of community uses and I was delighted to join the Club Chairman to see the excellent progress that is being made in installing it. I know it will a much-used and valued asset when complete."

Leek Town FC is an FA-chartered community club which offers opportunities for people of all age to benefit from the physical and social aspects of football.

Alongside the Academy and the Ladies and Men's first teams, the Club currently has over 20 junior teams for girls and boys and supports players with a disability.

Mr Eeles said: "The project is a large undertaking for the Club and without the support of Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and the Football Foundation it would not have happened.

"Currently, the usage of the pitch is very limited because of the weather and the limitations of a grass surface. The new 3G surface will allow the facility to be used every day which will transform the business operations of the Club and it will greatly increase the access to sporting facilities for the local community.

"We will be launching a community programme to support the usage, particularly in the daytime, and work on this has already started. We are looking forward to when the facility will finally be open."

It is anticipated the new pitch will be open by the end of next month.