The owners of a new indoor football facility in west Dorset say they have enjoyed a ‘positive’ start.

As previously reported, Bridport FC youth coaches Tom Richardson, Ian Black and Jamie Harwood set up the Precision Football Arena, a not-for-profit organisation in Beaminster.

Following investments of £34,000 from the local community and through a series of grants, the project, based at the Horn Park Industrial Estate, has been officially opened to the public.

Speaking about the open day, Mr Richardson said: “It was a really good day- and we must have had a couple of hundred people through the door throughout the day.

"The feedback has been really positive, and the children didn’t want to leave, which is always a good sign.

“We’ve been fully booked between 5pm to 8pm since opening, which has been our peak time, and we have plenty of parties.”

Jamie Harwood, Ian Black and Tom Richardson with the football arenaJamie Harwood, Ian Black and Tom Richardson with the football arena (Image: Precision Football Arena) The owners previously stated that they wanted to build the pitch in west Dorset due to flooding and bad weather, which cancelled outdoor games for youth teams throughout last season.

Already, the feedback they have received has shown the importance of a facility like this in the area, according to Mr Richardson.

He said: “A lot of people have been talking through training, and parents have been really appreciative that it’s indoors, and their children are not getting wet.

“The other day, the Colfox school came down as they didn’t want to miss out on training.”

Jamie Harwood, Ian Black and Tom Richardson, founders of the Precision Football ArenaJamie Harwood, Ian Black and Tom Richardson, founders of the Precision Football Arena (Image: Precision Football Arena)

Mr Richardson said that people of all ages are getting a use out of the facility.

He said: “It could have been terrible if we didn’t get the donations in, but everyone has been so excited by the project which is so great to see, from two-year-olds that I coach in Supastrikers, to Bridport Vets telling me how good it’s been to have a kick around indoors for mental health.”

As well as hiring out the facility to teams and parties, the group plans to arrange mental health support sessions for all the communities' self-help groups, as well as football holiday camps, Supastrikers football sessions for children up to eight years old, and walking football sessions aimed for people over the age of 50.