A Suffolk football club has submitted plans for a new state-of-the-art pitch at its home ground that will also provide a facility for other local clubs.

Leiston FC have applied to East Suffolk Council to replace the grass surface at their Victory Road stadium with the 3G FIFA Pro all-weather artificial pitch, which would enable the club to play in the National League.

Their aim is to be able to start using the new surface in April.

READ MORE: Suffolk: Leiston FC near £650,000 goal for new modern pitch

Currently, the first team plays in the Southern League Premier Division Central, but has ambitions of playing at a higher level, though at the moment the club's first and under-23 teams have to train at Kesgrave High School as the grass pitch is sometimes unfit.

The club needs to raise £650,000 for the project, which is phase one of the club's redevelopment.

Further funding will be needed for phase two, which will involve the rebuilding of changing rooms and the final phase three, involving changes to the clubhouse.

READ MORE: Leiston Football Club unveil 3G pitch plans for ground

The club's chair Andy Crisp revealed that another £150,000 was needed to ensure the pitch plans could be completed in full to include new LED lighting to reduce light pollution.

As well as helping Leiston, Mr Crisp emphasised the pitch was intended as a facility for the wider community, available for use by teams in neighbouring towns and villages, such as Benhall, Saxmundham and Aldeburgh.

READ MORE: Leiston news

He added: "It will benefit not just Leiston FC, but more importantly the whole community of Leiston and the surrounding area.

"It is very much a community project and not just for Leiston FC."

He said the club had been holding its training 20 miles away in Kesgrave because there were no other suitable facilities between 'Kirkley and Kesgrave'.