TWO top-of-the-range football and netball pitches for the whole community have been unveiled at Holy Trinity Primary School, Darwen.

The sports-turf pitches replace those lost from behind the leisure centre to make way for the new Darwen Health Centre.

The pitches, officially opened last night by deputy mayor and mayoress Couns David and Karimeh Foster, are the result of collaboration between Blackburn with Darwen Council and the school.

Executive member for culture, leisure and sport Coun Kate Hollern, who also attended the opening said: "The creation of these state-of-the-art all weather pitches, changing rooms and netball courts has very positive benefits for the whole community.

"It is also good for engaging people in positive activities and a great opportunity for the people of Darwen. In the summer holidays kids get bored easily but now we have a good facility that will be open and available to use."

Headteacher Keith McDonald, said: "The governors, children, staff and friends of the school are delighted by the addition of this wonderful new resource.

"We are keen to see our school as an integral part of the wider community and look forward to our relationship with that community through the use of these facilities."

The pitches are made of sports-turf similar to the surface which Blackburn Rovers use for training at Brockhall, and come complete with new fully-staffed changing facilities on site.