Stevenage FC manager Daren Sarll popped along to Giles Junior School in Stevenage on Tuesday to open a state of the art 4G football pitch which will help it kick off a new era for sports.

The Durham Road school managed to secure cash from the government through Herts County Council with a little help from Councillor Richard Henry to accompany the its new buildings which opened 18 months ago and will see it become a three form entry school from September 2017.

Mr Sarll said the pitch would help Stevenage youngsters develop their skills and become the athletes of the future.

He said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to increase their participation in sport.”

Headteacher Heather Davies said the pitch is a vital part of the school’s development as a centre of sporting excellence. Marriotts School has just agreed a deal to allow Giles pupils to use its sports pitches and take part in dance, gymnastics and trampolining classes at its Brittain Way facilities.