UNSTABLE ground conditions and flooding at Caldicot's new 3G pitch have led to an overspend of £58,000.

The pitch, located at the Caldicot School and leisure centre site, has virtually been completed and is currently in use by public and pupils.

Initial excavation works discovered the ground conditions are unstable and 95 per cent of the total pitch area suffers with extremely damp conditions. According to a Monmouthshire County Council (MCC) officer, these conditions could not have been predicted.

In a report that will be brought to cabinet today (18th March) Caldicot Comprehensive School is expected to contribute £5,000 from its balances to the new pitch with the further £53,000 taken from Section 106 monies.