A HEADTEACHER dug deep to help start a top class sports surface project.

Neil Kern, headteacher at Durham School, carried out the first preparatory earthworks for a multi-purpose artificial sports pitch.

The facility will help improve the range of sports provision already offered at the school, reducing pressure on the existing grass pitches and the sports hall, particularly during poor weather.

The school is well equipped for traditional sports, such as rugby and cricket, but has insufficient provision at present for hockey, tennis, five-a-side football and netball.

It is hoped the new surface will offer greater sporting opportunities for all the school's students as well as pupils from its preparatory Bow School.

A fundraising campaign to help raise the £420,000 needed for the all-weather pitch is well under way and Rob Andrew, director of rugby at Newcastle Falcons, has lent his support by accepting the role of president of the campaign.

A former rugby coach at the school, he said: "Today, sport plays a very important part in the lives of many young people and we need to ensure that appropriate facilities are available for everyone to pursue their individual interests, both for the sake of the sports themselves and as a basis for developing a lifelong interest in keeping fit.

"This important development at Durham School will benefit pupils, both today and for many years to come."