Richard Harrington was defeated in a tense penalty shoot-out as he unveiled a Garston school’s new £10,000 all-weather pitch.

The Watford MP officially opened the Big Lottery-funded sports facility at Coates Way School on October 7 but it was headteacher Steven Wells who took the glory on the pitch, to the delight of his pupils.

Mr Harrington said Mr Wells explained heavy rainfall rendered outside play impossible on the school grounds at times last winter.

He added: "Well done to Mr Wells and everyone else involved in making this happen, you can see how great it is just by looking at the kids here - how much they are enjoying it, although that may have something to do with Mr Wells beating me at football.

"A big thanks also to the Big Lottery Fund who continue to do a lot to help us in Watford, I’m seeing them again on November 4 and hope they will continue to support projects like this."

Mr Harrington was also shown poems written by Coates Way pupils about their trip to the Houses of Parliament earlier this year.