Construction work on a new multi-million pound sports facility is underway at Chipping Sodbury School.

The centre will include a third generation, floodlit artificial turf pitch and a new sports hall that has been designed to accommodate 'Futsal' the increasingly popular Brazilian indoor football.

The project, costing £3.7m, will be funded by a grant from the Football Foundation and backing from South Gloucestershire County Council. Wates Construction has been appointed to build the facility.

Work on the facility began on 14 July with the demolishing of the old gym which will be replaced by a car park. Work is expected to run through until early 2010 with the artificial pitch expected to be finished by November.

Councillor Shelia Cook, deputy leader of South Gloucestershire Council quoted "The Council, Chipping Sodbury School and the Football Foundation are investing significantly in developing sports facilities to promote healthy and active lifestyles."

Phillip Lidstone, head teacher at Chipping Sodbury School said, "We are delighted to have now started building work on this exciting project which will benefit the students and the community."