A SCHOOL has held a special event to open a new sports pitch.

Beauchamps High School, Wickford, marked the launch of the new artificial grass pitch.

The facility will allow a wide range of sporting opportunities to be be given to the school’s pupils.

The school was awarded a £370,000 grant from the Premier League and The FA Facilities Fund towards the project.

Essex Council also made an investment of £50,000 from the 2012 Olympic legacy funding.

Special guests included Mark Francois, MP for Rayleigh and Wickford.

Matt Harper, Beauchamps High School headteacher, said: “We would like to thank Mark Francois MP whole-heartedly for opening the facility for us and for being part of such a momentous occasion.”