A NEW £750,000 football pitch is now open for business after a more than three month build.

It has been announced a new artificial football pitch has opened at the Halstead Leisure Centre.

The new full size pitch, which is built to FIFA standard, is now ready to take bookings after it was completed ahead of schedule.

Braintree council announced at the end of February that work on the pitch, which is believed to have cost around £750,000, was underway.

But it has now been confirmed the pitch was completed last week, and can now be booked for use through Fusion Lifestyle who run the leisure centre.

According to the council, the pitch will also be used by pupils at the Ramsey Academy in the town thanks to a "joint use agreement."

The new pitch comes as a much-needed replacement to the previous turf.

The old pitch was more than 12 years old and was pulled up in order to be upcycled for other purposes.

The council have also announced the pitch will be named the ‘Calum Leys Memorial Pitch’ in tribute to the former Ramsey Academy PE teacher, Head of School and much-admired member of the Halstead Community.

Mr Leys worked at the school for 15 years as Deputy Headteacher and more recently as Head of School.

Robert James, Executive Headteacher said: “Sport plays an important role in the school, by providing students with the opportunity to excel and develop lifelong skills.

"Mr Leys would be honoured and proud that this excellent new facility bears his name and is a fitting tribute to the legacy he has left at The Ramsey Academy.”

Cabinet member for Health and Wellbeing, Cllr Peter Tattersley, added: “This is sure to be a much loved new facility for the many football teams in Halstead including boys and girls youth teams, men and women’s adult teams, walking football and inclusive Soccerbility sessions.

"We are honoured to be able to support Ramsey Academy to remember and pay tribute their head of school in such a positive way.”