PUPILS are celebrating after a state-of-the art £357,000 artificial football pitch was declared open by a top soccer executive.

Former Ipswich Town chairman David Sheepshanks, who now works for UK Community Foundations, opened the new pitch at East Bergholt High School.

The floodlit site means pupils will be able to take part in outdoor sport all year round, and will also provide five local grassroots clubs with a suitable area for training.

To help fund the project, the school worked in partnership with the Suffolk FA to secure a grant worth £226,513 from the Premier League and the FA Facilities Fund.

It is now the only facility of its kind within a ten-mile radius.

Mr Sheepshanks said; “It was a privilege to officially open this excellent new 3G pitch at East Bergholt High School."