Derby County Football Club has seen the light this season following a bright idea from their local Electric Center.

The Dunstall Park Road business pitched in with materials for a lighting rig at the Pride Park stadium to help promote grass growth in the worn penalty areas of the pitch.

With the help of suppliers Lamp and Gear and Cooper lighting, the Electric Center donated the metal work for the rig structure and six 1,000 watt sodium bulbs, which can be wheeled onto the pitch and switched on to help the turf recover after matches.

Mark Shearing, Business Manager for Electric Center, Derby, explained: "Many of the premier league clubs have lighting rigs to ensure the pitches are kept in tip-top condition for play but they are a very expensive bit of kit.

"Derby County approached us after their stadium engineer decided to design and make his own and we were delighted to be able to help by donating the materials they needed."

John Vicars, Derby County's Vice President of Operations, said: "Pitch lamps are the latest innovation used in football to enhance playing surfaces, and thanks to Electric Center we have been able to join a growing list of clubs using the lamps.

"We are delighted to be working in partnership with Electric Center and we intend to continue to work closely in the future with a view to working together on further projects."