Calls for Council football pitches to be open to the public

Many of the football pitches built by the Council are locked at weekends and after 3.30pm when schools shut.

However, Mr Masterton believes that this acts as a disincentive in getting more young people active.

In a letter to the Council, Mr Masterton noted that some children had even taken to scaling the fence to gain access to pitches next to Eastwood High School.

East Renfrewshire MP, Paul Masterton said: “It seems ridiculous that the pitches are locked at night and prevent youngsters from playing in a safe area. With NHS Scotland as well as both the UK and Scottish Government calling for the public to get more active, this seems a simple step in the right direction.

More than anything else, it is a safety concern that young people are scaling large fences at risk of injuring themselves or others.”