A FORMER England rugby star has praised fundraisers as work gets under way on a £250,000 sports pitch at a school.

Cundall Manor School, near Thirsk, which was recently awarded the Independent Schools Association Award for Sporting Achievement, said the Astroturf pitch would enable its 400 pupils to improve their skills and fitness whatever the weather.

It is also hoped the pitch will help develop pupils' ability to perform in competitive situations.

After a ground-breaking ceremony, which marked the culmination of two years of fundraising, the school's sports director, former Leicester Tigers full-back, John Liley said the pitch would be used by pupils throughout the school for a variety of sports.

He added: "The fact that we have raised the money ourselves without any external support is testament to the unswerving support and generosity of our own parent base, the commitment of all our staff and the enthusiasm and desire of our young and talented sportsmen and women to see such a facility on site.”