THE provision of sports pitches in west Wiltshire is officially inadequate, according to a team of consultants.

This sombre analysis is one of several key findings in a report by Kit Campbell Associates which stresses quality rather than quantity is the way forward.

West Wiltshire District Council has employed KCA to conduct a leisure and recreational needs assessment to help boost its facilities.

On Wednesday KCA's interim report received the backing of the council's cabinet, but it will be another two years before a full plan is published.

The report states: "There is inadequate provision for the pitch sports in the district, especially for football in Westbury and Trowbridge."

KCA believes "there is a problem in the transition from junior to adult play, which appears to relate to both the poor drainage and therefore playing characteristics of many pitches and a lack of adult pitches".

Among its suggestions is creating artificial turf pitches , which are now approved by European football's governing body UEFA.

The consultants also recommend investing £600,000 to accommodate five adult rugby or football pitches at the Lafarge Sports Ground, Westbury.

In compiling the report, KCA visited around 300 leisure sites in the district ranging from sports centres to cycle paths.

Kit Campbell told Wednesday's meeting it was important to look at where facilities could best be located rather than looking at sheer volume.

Looking at the six sports centres the council runs with DC Leisure, KCA found there was a good range on offer, but that the facilities needed refurbishment.

There is also the threat of a competition across the area from commercial health and fitness clubs. The interim report can be viewed at the council's website www.westwiltshire.gov.uk