YOUNG footballers in Hyndburn could soon be kicking off at midnight as part of a new scheme aimed at combating anti-social behaviour.

Bosses at Hyndburn Leisure Trust plan to bid for funding from Sport England to put on matches on the new all-surface, floodlit pitch at Hyndburn Leisure Centre, in Henry Street, Church.

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Interim chief executive of the trust, Steve Tanti, said: “We are still in the process of accessing funding for the project. Our new outdoor pitch is due to be finished in the next few weeks and we are hoping, in the not too distant future, funding will come through.

“The idea is not unique. As far as combating anti-social behaviour is concerned, it’s something that has been piloted in Manchester and Merseyside.

“But we are the first in East Lancashire to try this.”

The previous 30-year-old artificial grass pitch was replaced with a new 3G pitch in a £165,000 project last year.

The new pitch has markings for junior and adult football, hockey and rugby.

Hyndburn Council’s leisure boss, Councillor Ken Moss, who is also a councillor in Rishton, said: “I think it’s a great idea if this gives people something to do late at night. If it also gets them active at the same time, it can only be of benefit.”

Hyndburn’s Labour MP, Graham Jones, said: “I have raised this with Hyndburn Leisure in the past, going back two to three years.

“In Glasgow they had a midnight football league and anti-social behaviour went down considerably in that area.

“I thought it’s something we should look at and I also think there’s scope for cricket as well.

“The objective is to engage with young people at a time when they might otherwise be doing less constructive things.

“It’s a great idea.”