A CAMPAIGN to bring an all-weather artificial football pitch has been launched by FC Barry football club and MP Alun Cairns.

Coaches from amateur and junior club FC Barry contacted Vale MP Mr Cairns to help with their campaign to bring a 3G football pitch to Barry.

Mr Cairns said: "It is wholly unacceptable that Barry doesn’t have a 3G pitch. This state of the art facility would enable football to be played at all times in all weather conditions.

“When we met Sport Wales they explained the benefits of this kind of surface, which is used by some Premiership clubs.

“3G pitches cost in the region of £350,000, which certainly isn’t excessive when you consider the number of teams that would benefit. Then there is the Sport Council’s grant which could be made use of, and the fact that the Vale council recently spent similar sums improving their council chamber. This investment would benefit far more people.

“The number of local footballers demonstrates the need for a modern all-weather pitch. Having spoken informally to a number of local clubs, there is a growing belief that we need to invest in proper facilities to maintain and develop local interest in the sport.

“I pay tribute to FC Barry’s ambitions. They are exceptionally professional in their approach and it is vital that we continue to press for a facility that local residents need and deserve.”

Shaun White, FC Barry’s coach said: “In modern day football, this is an essential facility. We regularly take the players to the House of Sport in Cardiff to play on their 3G pitch and the response from the team is magnificent.

"It is wrong that we have to travel to Cardiff, when there is such a large interest in football here.

“We are determined to work with Alun Cairns and the Sports Council to deliver a 3G pitch to our team and other teams across Barry.”