TEACHERS and pupils are celebrating after landing a cash grant to create a new sports facility.

Kesgrave High School worked in partnership with Suffolk County FA to secure a �306,000 grant from the Football Foundation.

It will be used to build a new floodlit third generation artificial grass pitch that will be used by the pupils in the day and the community at night.

TV presenter and Football Foundation ambassador Georgie Bingham visited the school last week to launch the start of the construction project.

She said: “As someone who has been passionate about sport it is always good to see first hand the great work being done at grassroots level.

“While I now work at the elite end of the game, I developed my love of sport during my school years in Suffolk and know the importance of local facilities for local people.

“That is why I am an ambassador of the Football Foundation.

“They are doing great work, not only in Suffolk, but across the whole country. It is really encouraging to see their funding come from the top end of the game with the Premier League and The FA, plus the government all realising the importance of sport to improve communities and change people’s lives.”

The pitch will be supported by existing changing rooms and a newly-built car park to enhance the community use of the facility.

The project has been supported by Suffolk County FA who see the centre becoming a hub for football with high use.

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: “We are delighted to have Georgie as one of our ambassadors to help promote the work we are doing to improve grassroots sport in this country.

“The project at Kesgrave School is just one example of the many projects currently taking place across the country and my thanks go to Suffolk County FA and our funding partners the Premier League, The FA and the Government for their crucial support for making this possible.”