The state-of-the-art floodlit facilities are part of a £1.5m investment which saw the replacement of a grass surface, with a new 3g pitch and an additional 5s ‘kick about’ synthetic area which will be available on a non-booking basis.

The new pitches form part of a wider redevelopment of the outdoor areas of the leisure centre.

This will include the addition of a specialist athletics polymeric track being completed early next year.

Meanwhile the athletics zone will encourage participation in track, long jump and high jump.

Local councillors joined staff and budding young footballers to launch the new pitches on Monday 31 October.

Councillor Jim Logue, Leader of North Lanarkshire Council said: “These new facilities will provide the opportunity for local people and community teams to train and play throughout the year.

“As a council, we want to encourage sports participation which has been proven to improve both physical and mental wellbeing.

"This development provides first class facilities for young people and the wider community, and we are delighted the five-a-side area will be available on a non-booking basis, meaning anyone can come along and enjoy a free kick about.

“Next year we will also have the vastly improved athletics area, and this will help make Airdrie Leisure Centre a really top-notch sports hub.”