ART students mucked in to help Accrington Stanley with a ‘major’ refurbishment.

Pupils from Accrington and Rossendale College helped to transform the football ground’s Clayton End stand.

The site will become an all-standing terrace after old seating was ripped out as part of the project.

The club is hoping to attract sponsorship of £20,000 for the naming rights of the Clayton End stand.

It comes after the club appointed Scott Dawson Advertising to manage its sponsorship for the next two years and the the go-ahead was given for a 1,500-seater stand on the Whinney Hill side of the ground.

Decorating company Crown Paints provided the club with free materials to renovate the stand.

Matthew Brookes, of Darwen-based Crown Paints, said: “It is great to be involved in such a historic club with an exciting future.

“We were happy to support this project.”

Students from Accrington and Rossendale College gave up their free time to assist with the project.

Dan Pinter, tutor at the college, praised the students for their hard work, both on their studies and in helping with the project.

My Pinter said: “They have worked hard all year on their foundation stage course and it’s been great to put into practice what they’ve learnt.

“Coupled with being football fans, they have thoroughly enjoyed the experience and it has proved to be a glowing success.

“So much so, two of the students have, on a voluntary basis, offered their time and assistance to the football club, not just for painting and decorating, but for general handiwork to help out over the summer in their own free time.”

Under new sponsorship management, businesses have the opportunity to sponsor individual matches, as well as match day programmes, the football, and the Accrington Stanley website.

Packages range from £100 up to £100,000, offering something to all sizes and types of businesses, from local tradespeople to international companies.

David Burgess, managing director at Accrington Stanley FC, said: “In the last 12 months we’ve attracted a new majority shareholder in Andy Holt whose investment has helped to secure a future for Accrington Stanley.

“Now we’re keen to work with other local businesses and have a range of sponsorship options available.”