CUMBRIAN firm SIS Pitches has completed a record-breaking deal with the University of Manchester.

The company, which manufactures artificial grass playing fields and is based in the Glasson Industrial Estate, Maryport, has handed over four new synthetic pitches at the university's Fallowfield campus.

This project took 42 weeks to complete and was the biggest single-build work of its kind in UK history.

In addition, it is the first scheme in the company's 'Framework' agreement -

to provide the design, manufacture, installation and maintenance of artificial grass pitches for the Rugby Football Union (RFU), Football Association (FA), Sport England, England Hockey and Football Foundation (FF) capital investment programmes - to be worth more than £2m scheme.

The revamped site features one rugby, one football and two hockey pitches covering more than 30,000m2.

These also include new fencing and floodlighting.

They will be available to students and local teams for training and fixtures, the first-class playing surfaces will be accessible for the wider Manchester community and sports clubs from across the country all year-round, day and night.

SIS Pitches managing director, Bryn (corr) Lee, said: “This was a fantastic project to win, being the largest to come out of the framework to date. We faced several challenges along the way, mostly ground and weather-related.

“The end result though are four superb playing surfaces, which will provide students with world class facilities for years to come. As one of the leading universities for sport, the new surfaces will no doubt be a considerable asset, and go a long way to maintaining their reputation."

Vicky Foster-Lloyd, head of sport at The University of Manchester, added “The finished pitches look fantastic. Everyone who comes to see the facility is really impressed and the atmosphere when all the pitches are in use is amazing."

As well as the work at The University of Manchester, the company has completed projects for Loughborough University and Durham University, as well as Flixton Girls School and Plymouth College.