MATCHES being called off because of bad weather could be a thing of the past if leaders of a popular football club get their way.

Ladybridge Football Club, whose players play on a pitch off Tempest Road in Lostock, is struggling to ensure matches go ahead due to rain and frost and club bosses say it is putting children off coming back.

Now they have asked Bolton Council if they can replace the grass pitch with an artificial surface.

A report to the council said: “For the fourth consecutive year, eight out of 16 weekends have been lost due to the continuous rain or frost leaving more than 200 young footballers without any football.

“Throughout the season, an average of 14 weekends are lost due to the extreme wet weather, which leads to frustration all around. The weather is one of factors affecting players leaving the sport, as matches are cancelled and children lose interest and drop out.”

The club also want to put up a two-metre-high security fence around the pitch.

The council is aiming to reach a decision by May 7.