Clarets boss Owen Coyle and goalkeeping coach Phil Hughes took time out from preparing for Saturday's clash with Birmingham City to officially open new 'Premier League' standard sporting facilities at Burnley College's Sixth Form Centre.

The duo cut the ribbon on a new sports centre and hi-tech football pitch before being given a tour of the college facilities and meeting members of the football and basketball academies.

Coyle said: "Every town needs great facilities for its youngsters to help them progress in their chosen field and it was a pleasure to open such a fantastic facility.

"I hope it serves the college and the town well for many generations to come."

Karen McLean, Head of Sport at Burnley College Sixth Form Centre, said: "We were delighted that Owen agreed to officially open the new centre.

"He enjoyed a tour of the facilities before taking part in an impromptu coaching session and penalty shoot-out with some of the Football Academy players.

"The outstanding facilities at the new campus are enabling us to offer top level professional sports coaching to young people in East Lancashire and will hopefully help us to achieve our ambition of becoming one of the country's leading centres for sporting excellence in the future."

The new sports centre features a large sports hall, a climbing wall, a state-of-the-art fitness suite and modern changing facilities.

Owen Coyle and Phil Hughes join staff and students on the new pitch at Burnley College

The college's full-sized 3G football pitch meets UEFA standards, while the site also includes a 5-a-side multi-use Astroturf pitch.

Burnley College currently runs football, basketball, golf and netball academies. They allow students to receive professional sports coaching at an elite level alongside their academic studies at the Sixth Form Centre.