A FOOTBALL team which lost half its pitch when the M65 extension swallowed it up will soon have a full-size field again.

However, Knuzden FC manager David Miller claims the team will still only be able to use the field during the summer because it is waterlogged for the rest of the year.

The Highways Agency is to return the land at the recreation ground, off Stanhill Road, with an extra half acre once work on the motorway is completed.

Mr Miller is now calling on the agency, local businesses and the council to help pay for an all-weather pitch. He said: "We have been left with one and a half pitches since the work started.

"In winter we have got to play inside because the pitches are so waterlogged. If we had an all-weather pitch we could play all year round.

"All the youngsters want to do is to play football and a pitch would help to keep them out of trouble."

The club, which has several teams for boys aged nine to 14, has been forced to play at Pleckgate playing fields, Blackburn, and at local indoor centres.

Hyndburn Council assistant parks officer Andrew Hayhurst ruled out the possibility of an all-weather pitch but confirmed that the council was looking at possible improvements at the site, such as five-a-side tarmac pitch.

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