A VILLAGE is to get its first football pitch for 20 years after receiving £35,300 of Olympic legacy funding from Sport England.

Gainford and Langton Parish Council is among 61 sports clubs and community groups to receive funding from Protecting Playing Fields initiative.

The council will use the money to carry out landscaping and drainage work on a piece of land in Gainford that is currently being used for agricultural purposes.

It is hoped the development of a football pitch will lead to the establishment of a club.

The village green is currently used for informal games of football.

Councillor Alan Rowley, chairman of Gainford and Langton Parish Council, said: "The parish council is absolutely delighted with the considerable support of this Sport England grant."

Helen Goodman, MP for Bishop Auckland and Teesdale, welcomed the news.

She said: "It is marvellous news to hear the parish council has been awarded £35,300.

"I believe the new facilities will provide an excellent way to nurture future footballing talent and ought to give years of sporting pleasure to young people in the area."

The site will become a Queen Elizabeth II Field after the council agreed to a dedicate of the playing field in tribute of the Olympics and the Queen's forthcoming Diamond Jubilee.