A NEW all-weather football pitch could finally be installed at a Highworth school - if it reaches an ambitious funding target.

Highworth Town Juniors Football Club has successfully applied for £40,000 from the Freke-Norton Trust along with £1,000 offered by Highworth Lions.

Early talks with the FA indicated that at least £100,000 would be needed to build the pitch, with the rest supplied by the Football Foundation if they decide it is worth backing.

The foundation's decision would be made by October 2021 following more meetings between them and the club, then a planning application could be sent in and the grant would be awarded in January 2022.

Construction would start in May if planning is approved, the council could contribute towards the funding at this point and it would be ready to open by summer.

Club chairman Mark Collett said: "I've been with the club for over 20 years and this facility has been looked at several times but for one reason or another, we've been unable to successfully move forward with it.

"Everybody knows Swindon Town are trying to build a facility at the bottom of Highworth and while I'm a big supporter, it could have big implications for ourselves.

"If it gets built and we don't already have something in the pipeline, we may lose out on having our own because the foundation would be unlikely to support another pitch because of the close proximity."

"I'm not sure we could afford the rates to use Swindon's one."

The pitch would be built at Highworth Warneford School. The school's 900 pupils along with the junior club's 400 children and the senior club's six teams could use the facility, as would neighbouring schools and the public.

Highworth Town councillors voted to support the idea over the next two years if it has a satisfactory business plan.