NEW football pitches have been officially opened after a £50,000 investment towards a new state of the art 3G pitch surface.

Mayor of Worcester, councillor Stephen Hodgson, formally opened the new pitches at Perdiswell Leisure Centre before the weekly walking football session.

The outdoor artificial pitches also have new five-a-side goals and improvements to the surrounds of the outdoor artificial pitches following the investment by Freedom Leisure.

The pitch improvements will provide a better playing surface for members and non-members of the leisure centre, catering for all standards of players.

Rob Tyler, Freedom Leisure contract manager, said: “We are thrilled to be improving the standard of facilities here at Perdiswell.

"Providing quality services and experiences for our customers is a key objective of Freedom Leisure.

"We are also supporting our residents to keep as active and healthy as possible and the improved pitches will be a fantastic incentive to encourage people to get their football boots on.”

The Mayor of Worcester, councillor Stephen Hodgson, formally opened the new pitches before the weekly Walking Football session.

He said: “One of the city council’s priorities is to help Worcester be a healthy and active city, and the last 20 months have shown all of us just how important that is.

"With that in mind, I am delighted to see these fantastic new 3G pitches open for action, providing a great new opportunity for people to enjoy themselves and get fit at the same time.”

Weekly sessions held at the leisure centre currently include walking football, both adult and children football team training sessions as well as friendly matches between friends and work colleagues.