AT LONG last there will be an Artificial Turf Pitch (ATP) at Lords Meadow Leisure Centre in Crediton.

After a successful application to Sport England for funds towards an ATP via the Inspired Facilities Funding scheme, Mid Devon District Council has announced that the new pitch will be open in February 2014.

The new pitch will be created at the existing site of a degrading Tarmac hard court area which is in dire need of repair.

After 18 months of applications and bid improvements the council team finally succeeded in getting an £87,000 grant towards the creation of a 61 x 61m size ATP area (able to cater for two seven-a-side football games).

The application was supported with more than 40 letters of support, which demonstrated a need for this type of facility in Crediton.