PLANS for a proposed 3G synthetic pitch at Westhoughton High School were discussed at Westhoughton town council tonight.

A presentation about the proposed plans for the new pitch, which will replace the gravel pitch already on the school site, was given by Jon Gorton of Bolton Community Leisure Trust.

Headteacher of Westhouhton High School Phil Hart also attended the meeting.

Access to the pitch, which will be used by the school in the day and the public by night, will be off Park Road.

The existing pitch and lines allow for it to be used for hockey, but it was revealed that the new lines and surface will cater for competitive football, rugby league and rugby union.

Mr Gorton, partnership development manager at the trust said: "The existing surface will need to be stripped and then a tarmac shock pad surface will be put down and then the synthetic surface on top.

"Then fencing will go around it.

"Disruption is expected to be minimum."

Floodlights will also be put in around the pitch.

Councillor Jack Speight asked Mr Gorton whether the lights would be disruptive to residents nearby.

But Mr Gorton replied that the new lights would have time sensors and a curfew time.

Councillor David Chadwick added: "Nearby residents are very used to having the flood lights and the new lights will actually be much better for them.

Mr Gorton added: "We do want to put in LED lights, which are better and if we can afford them we will be going for them."

A discussion as to what time the lights will be turned off was proposed for between 9pm and 10pm.

Cllr Speight also asked what the "life span" of the pitch will be.

Mr Gorton said: "If well maintained it could be 15 years before it needs to be replaced.

"Horwich pitch and Harper Green were laid in 1993 and are yet to be replaced but have been rejuvenated.

"Horwich is in need of maintenance.

"But with regular maintenance it can be kept as good as new."

In February 2016, Bolton Council agreed to provide £1.5m of capital funding towards the development of three borough 3G pitches.

A contractor, which will carry out the work, has yet to be decided but will hopefully have been in the next two weeks which will then allow the project to be given a completion date.