Work has begun on a £2.3m 3G artificial pitch project at Airdrie Leisure Centre in North Lanarkshire.

New all-weather pitches will replace four red blaes (gravel) pitches – while paths, drainage, lighting and fencing will also be improved.

£1.8m of funding comes will be provided by North Lanarkshire Council, with the remainder coming from North Lanarkshire Leisure (NLL) and Waste Recycling Environment (WREN).

Jim Logue of the council said: “These four new pitches continue the investment that the council, NLL and WREN are making in sport and health across the area.

“We are determined to encourage more people to be more active by having modern facilities available for people of all ages and abilities.”

The pitches should be operational in three months’ time.