WORK has started on a unique new set of sport pitches set to revolutionise Birchwood High School.

Sporting and civic dignitaries met last Wednesday to see the start of work on the new, state-of-the-art 3G astro turf pitches.

The synthetic pitch, to be built by Thornton Contracts, will be the first of its kind in Warrington and will provide full size football and hockey pitches and a junior rugby league pitch as well as three training pitches.

Warrrington Wolves first team coach Jimmy Lowes was on hand to lift the first piece of turf to mark the beginning of work on the pitch.

As well as being used by the school, the pitches will be available for use by the wider community in Birchwood and beyond.

Earlier this year the school announced its partnership with Warrington Wolves to locate the club’s scholarship programme at the Brock Road school from September this year.

The construction marks the first phase of a multi-million pound-investment by the Learning and Skills Council which will culminate in the opening of a new Post-16 Learning Centre at Birchwood College in September next year.

Plans for the new sixth form centre have now been submitted to Warrington Borough Council.

Council planners will decide if the work can go ahead later this year.

Head teacher Anne Bright, said: “This is a very significant time for the development of Birchwood Community High School.

“For 24 years this school has served the Birchwood community and families in the east of Warrington.

“In that time the school’s reputation and performance have gone from strength to strength through the hard work and commitment of the school’s leaders, governors and staff.

“Today we are here to mark the creation of a new resource which will bring huge benefits to learners and community members for years to come.”