A brand new 3G football pitch has been officially opened at Goshen Football Centre in Bury.

The cutting edge pitch was made thanks to investment from the Premier League, The FA, and the Government's Football Foundation.

The Football Foundation began working on the site with £524,054 in funding and completed it later in the year, but couldn't open until now because of lockdown.

Lancashire FA worked alongside the Football Foundation to secure the investment and Bury Council, who provided an additional £180,000 towards the project.

The new facility features a state-of-the-art full size playing surface, replacing the old facilities that were damaged by Storm Eva in 2015.

Alison Warwood, trustee of Bury Football Foundation, said: "We would like to thank the leadership of Bury Council for their unwavering support, without whom the project would not have happened.

"Thank you to the Premier League, the FA and everyone who has helped to achieve a sustainable and long-term future for the site as a whole and with it the development of football across the borough."

It is hoped the site will be used by over 350 Bury Football Foundation volunteers and play host to games for various grassroots and school matches.

Robert Sullivan, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "We are delighted that Goshen Football Centre is now open to the public after receiving Football Foundation investment.

"Good quality facilities support the health of local people and communities, which is why we're investing in projects like this across the country with funding provided by the Premier League, the FA, the Government and Sport England."

Cllr Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing at Bury Council said: "We know, from the Covid lockdowns, how important fresh aid and exercise is for people's physical and mental health.

"These facilities will be warmly welcomed by the local community, and make it easier for people of all ages - particularly the young - to take up sport and get into healthy habits for life."