A city high school is upping its sports provision for students and the community.

Governors at Chester Catholic High in Handbridge have given the green light for a full-sized synthetic and floodlit all-weather pitch at the Old Wrexham Road campus.

The pitch will be built to full hockey standards, which will allow a range of sports to be played. As well as developing hockey as a school sport, the school’s PE department will be able use the pitch to develop skills in football, cricket, netball and tennis.

Head teacher John Murray said: “The news about the pitch is great for our school.

"We are looking forward to launching hockey as a key sport in school for all year groups, adding to the extra-curricular experience Ofsted inspectors reported on.

“We are really pleased to be able to build such a facility which will also be made available to the community during the evenings and weekends.”

England Hockey commented: "This is a great opportunity to develop hockey at this school for the benefit of the students, the wider community and local clubs within this area including Deeside Ramblers HC and Chester HC.

“This facility will enable students at the Catholic High School to engage with hockey as a sport and will enable the school to develop strong club-school links.

Related story:Teacher chosen for event in Parliament

“Other local primary and secondary schools will also be able to benefit.”

Work will start later this month with opening planned for October 2016.