Grassroots sports facilities are set to be transformed in the Hitchin and Harpenden constituency after local organisations were awarded more than £720,000 in funding.

The government recently announced grants worth £68 million to be spent on creating and improving more than 1,700 sports facilities across the UK.

In Hitchin & Harpenden, the biggest beneficiary of this is set to be Harpenden Town FC. They have been awarded £716,883 to spend on a new artificial grass pitch at Rothamsted Park. Installation of the pitch is expected to cost more than £1 million in total.

The other grants in Hitchin & Harpenden are as follows:

  • £1,783 towards portable floodlights at Pirton Recreation Ground
  • £1,080 towards goalposts at King George V Playing Field in Whitwell
  • £1,080 and £429 towards goalposts at the Priory School in Hitchin

Commenting on the grants, Bim Afolami, the MP for Hitchin & Harpenden, said: “Grassroots facilities are essential for nurturing future sporting talent and encouraging people to get active which benefits their physical and mental wellbeing.

Herts Advertiser: Bim Afolami MP has welcomed the funding awards.Bim Afolami MP has welcomed the funding awards. (Image: Bim Afolami MP)

“That is why I welcome the funding from the Conservative government which will see Hitchin, Harpenden and the villages benefit from £721,255 to improve our local sports facilities and help more people access them.

“Helping people get active is key to delivering on the prime minister’s priority to cut NHS waiting lists by encouraging people to live healthier lives and become more engaged in sport.”

Cllr Brian Ellis, Conservative town councillor for Harpenden South, said: “It is fantastic news that the government is investing in local grassroots sports facilities.

"In Harpenden, this new funding will help to deliver the Conservative vision for Rothamsted Park - with funding for the new artificial pitch.

"We look forward to seeing the benefits this will bring to our local community.”