A Harpenden school has unveiled plans to build an artificial floodlit pitch on its grounds after teaming up with a youth football team.

Roundwood Park School has announced it will apply for planning permission to construct a 3G pitch with floodlights.

The school has received the backing of Roundwood Colts, which has approached the Football Association for funding toward the project.

Alan Henshall, Headteacher of Roundwood Park School, said: "This is a very exciting proposition. "The students of Roundwood Park School deserve the very best and this will give us a fantastic facility to be enjoyed, not just by our students, but by the whole community."

A similar plan was rejected by Harpenden Town Council in 2005 due to the perceived noise and light pollution to the school’s neighbours.

But under the new proposals, the school is confident it has addressed previous concerns by locating the pitch on a different area of the site.

The school and the club will embark on a fundraising campaign to cover the cost of the project and hope it could open in summer 2016.

Ian Holden, Chairman of the Harpenden Colts FC, said: "Harpenden Colts were delighted to be approached by the Herts FA about the potential for a 3G facility in our area.

"Members of senior school age currently have to travel as far afield as Luton and Welwyn to train, putting a great strain on coaches and parents alike.

"We feel that this is a great opportunity to be involved in a facility that will benefit a broad spectrum of the local community."

Harpenden Colts will hold a meeting of its members on June 1 with a public meeting for residents and the public at the school on June 3.

Moira Hart, Chairman of Roundwood Park School governing body, said: "The artificial pitch will be beneficial for every student in the school.

"It will have a big impact on the students’ fitness levels, prevent lessons being lost due to water logged pitches in the winter and will increase student participation in sporting activities run by the school."