A PERSHORE High School pupil is already staking a claim to a new astroturf pitch at his school.

The school, in Station Road, is on its way to raising the £750,000 needed for the turf after 13-year-old Richard Instead pitched in with a

fund-raiser of his own.

During the summer holidays the Year 9 pupil swam 22 miles at Pershore Swimming Pool, raising £751.

"He came into my office and put £751 on my desk," said headteacher Clive Corbett.

"He has spent a fair bit of his summer holidays swimming 22 miles to raise that money.

"He's got sponsorship and support by himself. It was a nice surprise."

The school will be putting in a bid next month to the Football Foundation to help provide further funding for the pitch.

It has £100,000 already.