LYDNEY Hockey Club chairman Andy Lord says his club now has one of the best pitches in the county, following work to completely relay the surface of their Whitecross Leisure Centre ground.

"In terms of quality, what we have now is far superior and allows us to play National League hockey," said Andy.

"It was fantastic news when the Forest of Dean Council advised us early in 2011 that they had the funds to resurface the pitch."

The Lydney pitch has been relaid to the highest specifications under the Federation of International Hockey. It is now sand-dressed, rather than sand-based.

Hockey is currently thriving in Lydney with the women's first team already competing on the national stage.

Andy said: "It's fair to say we're punching above our weight. We run three men's sides, three women's sides and a vixens team for teenage girls. We've also got a junior academy for children aged five to 13.

"We've got around 120 members and do outreach coaching in primary schools."

The new pitch also includes eye-catching blue run off areas, new goals and team dugouts. The project to develop the ground has been overseen by Jon Bowdler and Andy Barge, from the council's leisure services team. Both were present at Sunday's official opening along with Lydney club president Dit Thomas and Jane Thomas, regional manager of England Hockey.