BURNLEY soccer star Andy Payton swapped sports briefly to officially open a new £215,000 artificial turf pitch in Colne.

The Clarets striker was joined at Pendle Leisure Centre yesterday by hockey squads from local high schools, who took part in a competition immediately after the ceremony.

The Mayor of Pendle, Councillor Edwina Sargeant, councillors, council officials and leisure staff gathered in the rain to see Andy cut a ribbon to open the new playing surface, which replaced the former shale pitch.

Julie Thorpe, of Sport England, which contributed £131,745 towards the project, praised Pendle Council for successfully applying for the cash. Only one in three schemes get the go-ahead, she explained.

Nelson Hockey Club, which will use the centre as its base and the council contributed the rest of the cash.

"The pitch is sure to be well used, particularly with summer just around the corner," said leisure manager Alison Goode.

As well as hockey, the pitch can be used for a variety of sports including football and netball.

The Mayor is pixtured helping Andy cut the ribbon.