Sand to the Sahara

Grass Science was invited to the North African country to try t solve the problems its football federation is having with its playing surfaces and eventually concluded there was a problem with their sand.

The Sports Turf and Environmental Consultants, based in Garside Street, have now been invited back to transform the pitches by the organisation and one of its senior members -- Colonel Gadaffi's son Sardi, who frequently plays the game.

The soccer bosses asked for their advice after spotting the quality of the firm's work on the Internet.

Brian Robinson, managing director at Grass Science, spent six days in Libya at the end of September and met the representatives of the federation, including Sardi Gadaffi.

Mr Robinson, 53, said: "He was very interested in what we do. He was very intelligent and very keen on football.

"The federation wants to develop a league system comparable to the ones in Europe and wants to host the African Games. They see improving their pitches as an important part of this."

Mr Robinson visited a number of stadiums during his visit and concluded that the main problems were the heat, the water supply and the type of sand.

The turf specialist said: "They have plenty of sand but it isn't the right type. We will need to set up a laboratory over there, take various sands and try t find the right one which is suitable for root growth."

One of the many pitches Mr Robinson inspected was at the 11th June Stadium, which is the national ground. It is also owned by Sardi Gadaffi and the turf expert was not allowed to take photographs there for security reasons.

The firm has helped improve pitches at Kilmarnock, Burnley, Swindon Town, Leeds and other Premier League clubs. It is also involved in developing golf courses and analysing the impact building plans will have on the environment.

Grass Science was established five years ago and is part of the Rigby Taylor Group, which has been based in Bolton since the 1930s and currently employs more than 100 people.