Two new synthetic grass football pitches have opened in Lincoln as part of a £1.8m investment in the city's sports facilities.

The new pitches, at Birchwood Leisure Centre and Yarborough Leisure Centre, are accompanied with the launch of a redeveloped athletics facility and hockey pitch at Yarborough.

The project has been funded by a £899,835 grant from the Football Foundation, together with a grant from Sport England of £85,000. The remaining investment was provided by City of Lincoln Council.

Forming a part of the council's plans to increase sports participation, the new pitches are set to support the formation of more than 35 new teams during the next five years.

"As part of our commitment to promoting healthy, active lifestyles, the all-weather pitches will be a huge benefit to the local community – and the new running track at Yarborough Leisure Centre will give local athletes the best possible surface to practice on," said Simon Colburn, assistant director for health and environment services at City of Lincoln Council.

The two centres to have benefitted from the facilities are managed on behalf of the council by Active Nation.