Students in Banbury will soon have access to some of the best football facilities in the county.

The Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity, has awarded a £34,000 grant to Banbury School.

The cash is part of a joint venture involving the foundation and the New Opportunity Fund, and £30m has been set aside to boost school football.

Banbury School will use the money to replace floodlights on its all-weather pitch.

The improvements will allow all-year access to the pitches for the school's 1,800 students.

However, the school will invite partner primary schools to use the ground, and the pitch will also become home to a rapidly-expanding girls' soccer league.

Foundation chief executive Peter Lee said: "Children deserve the opportunity to expand their potential -- not necessarily to be the best, but simply to enjoy our nation's favourite game."

Graham Teager, vice principle at Banbury School, said: "Banbury lacks adequate floodlit facilities and the recent growth in women and girls' football has made the situation worse.

"Staff, students, and parents at Banbury School have raised money to add to this grant and we have also been helped by Banbury Charities and local businesses."

He said: "In total we have raised £14,000.

"The improvements are already under way and we look forward to using them after the Christmas break. This investment will make a real difference to the school and the whole Banbury community."