Richard WoodFootballers of the future joined with councillors and a local MP to mark the latest development of Lowestoft's new sixth form college yesterday.Waveney MP Peter Aldous and representatives of Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council, Lowestoft College, Lowestoft Sixth Form all joined with Waveney Youth FC as they celebrated the opening of a new �1.Richard Wood

Forget the 2010 World Cup for a moment... It was footballers of the future who joined councillors and an MP in marking the latest development of Lowestoft's new sixth form college yesterday.

Waveney MP Peter Aldous and representatives of Suffolk County Council, Waveney District Council, Lowestoft College and Lowestoft Sixth Form united with Waveney Youth FC to celebrate the opening of a new �1.5m sports complex.

Barnard's Centre Point brings the latest type of football pitches, changing rooms and an on-site classroom to the area as part of the new college.

The facilities, at Barnard's Meadow, will form an important part of the college, and there will be wider community use too in the evenings and at weekends.

Mr Aldous said: "A lot of people have worked very hard in conjunction to get us where we are today.

"The football bug is well and truly alive in Lowestoft, with the success of Lowestoft Town Football Club really bringing the whole community together."

Work first began on the town's �23m new sixth form last week; however, this collaborative project was started in December and has taken just 21 weeks to complete.

Colin Law, of Waveney council, said: "It is a wonderful opportunity and will be the envy of many, as it gives us the ability to deliver sport excellence and participation to the benefit of all in Lowestoft, not just the few."

After the opening ceremony, former Norwich City stars Andy Marshall and Bryan Gunn led a goalkeeper training session on the new pitches. Fellow

ex-Canary Paul Crichton was scheduled to attend but could not be there - on the same day he was linked with a possible coaching role at Notts County.