SCHOOL pupils whose games are often cancelled because their playing fields are waterlogged are hoping to get a new artificial pitch worth thousands.

St Joseph's primary in Headington has applied for planning permission to install the 200sq m of turf to extend its current playing fields.

That would be adjoined by a 30sq m spectator area.

In its application to Oxford City Council, the Headley Way school and its architects said the new pitch would finally solve long-running damp problems.

TSH Architects wrote: "On account of the damp playing conditions of the site the addition of an all-weather pitch would vastly improve the utility of the area allowing for use by the school all year round as not only as a space for formal PE activities but also for informal sports play as well.

"In its current state the site provides space for soft formal PE. The proposed MUGA will occupy this area with a far more useful space where a wider variety of sporting activities will be able to take place.

"Not only does the all-weather surface allow for use all-year-round but the multi-use arrangement of the pitch markings and features (goals, basketball hoops) allow for a greater variety of games."

Members of public can see the plans at oxford.gov.uk using reference number 18/02243/FUL.