KEEP off the grass is the message to sportsmen this summer.
They're being urged to give pitches a break out of season to allow new surfaces to take root.
A total of 105 council pitches at 44 different locations were surveyed by Wigan's new Leisure & Cultural Trust in March, and essential levelling, draining and seeding work has begun. But continued use by rugby and football players is hampering efforts to get the pitches fit for next season.
At one location workmen have fenced off soccer pitch goal mouths to give the grass a chance.
Playing Fields Development Officer Andrew Bond said: "Each pitch costs an average of £2,000 per year to maintain and renovate, but continued use in the off-season is threatening to undo a lot of hard work and investment.
"I am appealing to players to support our efforts to provide quality surfaces by keeping off the pitches until the new seasons begin."
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