INTERNATIONAL hockey player and coach, Gavin Featherstone, helped open the new artificial turf pitch and community sports facility at Egglescliffe School last Friday.

Mr Featherstone, who has captained England at all levels and is senior hockey coach at Durham University, joined players from the school for a game to mark the occasion.

The pitch was jointly funded by Sport England, Stockton Borough Council and the school. It was built for a variety of sports, with an emphasis on hockey for boys and girls.

Stockton Hockey Club plays all its adult fixtures at the school and members coach primary and secondary school pupils there.

A spokeswoman for the school said: "Although as a school we are delighted with both the pitch and the new changing rooms, it is important to recognise that this new facility is a community resource open to all residents of Eaglescliffe and the surrounding area."