Pupils and sports enthusiasts in Evesham could be seen in a better light if plans to revamp the sports facilities at a local school are approved.

The county council wants to upgrade the floodlights on the sports pitch at Evesham High School, create a new Astroturf practice area and provide extra car parking.

The existing all-weather pitch, one of the first of its type at a high school in the county, has been operating for more than 10 years and now the lighting doesn't match up to modern requirements.

According to the council's director of planning, economy and performance Diane Tilley: "The lighting levels on the pitch no longer meet the minimum requirements of certain sports, in particular hockey."

She is recommending that members of the planning and regulatory committee, who meet on Tuesday, January 31, to discuss the matter, approve replacing the existing 1.5kw with 2kw lamps on the eight floodlighting columns.

She says the all-weather pitch is 95 metres from the nearest house on Sycamore Avenue and this is similar to other recently approved schemes.

Ms Tilley is also recommending that the committee approves plans for a new 20 metres by 30 metres practice area for warming up and some sports such as five-a-side football, as well as 12 extra parking spaces.

If the scheme gets the go- ahead, it is likely the floodlight use will be restricted to between 9am and 10pm and the new lights will be designed and positioned to emit a very low level of light onto any residential property.