HUNDREDS of young footballers and their families spent one of the hottest days of the year taking part in a sponsored walk.

Youngsters walked to raise money for Feniscowles and Pleasington JFC’s new pitch, and were joined by former Rovers star and Chorley FC boss Garry Flitcroft yesterday.

The club, affectionately known as Fenny Reccers, has more than 20 teams and has planning permission to create a new pitch on grassland in Livesey Branch Road.

And after failing to attract any grant money, the club decided to host fundraising events, such as the sponsored walk along the Leeds and Liverpool Canal, to fund the project themselves.

Chairman of the sports club, Mike Caton, said around 300 people took part. He added: “Garry Flitcroft officially started the walk at 11am from Feniscowles War Memorial site. We went down Livesey Branch Road and by the canal. The younger children turned back at the boatyard and walked around four miles, and the older ones continued and walked about 12.”

Mr Caton said the club had set itself a target of £30,000 for a new pitch, and had already raised £23,000.

He said: “We’re hoping to have raised around £5,000 through this walk, although that’s a little ambitious.

“All the money has come through fundraising and whenever we do something, the weather always seems nice.”

Proposals to turn the dog walking patch into a pitch were given the green light earlier this year, despite objections from local residents, who were concerned about footballs being kicked into their gardens.

But a report to to councillors said proposed restrictions made this ‘unlikely to occur on a regular basis’.

The development will take the number of football pitches at the site to four.

It already has a cricket pitch, bowling green, and three tennis courts.

It has been the home of junior football teams since the 1950s, with Fenny Reccers taking control in 2006.

To donate, visit www.fenny reccers.org.uk.