OLYMPIC star Alex Danson was guest of honour as Bournemouth Hockey Club unveiled their new synthetic surface at Chapel Gate.

The Team GB stalwart, 28, who made her international debut in 2001, joined boys and girls from the club’s various youth teams for the opening of the new facility.

Bournemouth’s new pitch, which was part-funded by Sport England and the National Hockey Foundation, also features a dedicated area for spectators.

But the highlight of the day for club’s budding hockey stars was the presence of Danson who signed autographs and posed for pictures with her Olympic bronze medal.

After opening the pitch alongside Tim Nurse and Freya Evans from the club’s thriving youth section, Danson said: “It is great to see so many enthusiastic juniors taking part in hockey and with this new pitch I wish you every success for the future.”

Meanwhile, club chairman Richard Drewitt paid tribute to Danson and hailed the facility as a huge boost for hockey in the area.

Drewitt said: “I am absolutely elated. We have nearly 200 boys and girls from our under-8s right through to our under-14s and the pitch will enable us to provide fantastic facilities for the children.

“This is a major boost for our youngsters, the coaches and all the volunteers that work so hard throughout the season and the fundraising effort from those people to add to our grants was nothing short of phenomenal.”

The club are also hoping to attract local schools and organisations to give hockey a try by putting on taster sessions and making the pitch available for hire during the day.

Anyone interested in playing hockey or using the facility should contact Richard Drewitt via email: richard@drewittgroup.co.uk