Clive Richardson Ltd won contract for six football pitches

A company from County Armagh has won a contract to work on six football pitches, which are to be used during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

The contract, which is worth more than £1m, was awarded to Clive Richardson Ltd (CRL) from Craigavon.

Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster made the announcement as she arrived in Brazil for a trade mission. CRL recently took part in an Invest NI trade mission to Brazil.

The contract will involve preparing football pitches at the Gremio in Porto Alegre, Forteliza in Forteliza, Barradao in Salvador, Belo Horizonte, International, Porto Alegre and Corinthian's, Sao Paulo.

Speaking about the deal, Ms Foster said: "This very substantial announcement today follows CRL's success in preparing pitches for other global competitions including those used during recent UEFA European Championships.

"As a result of these successes, CRL is now firmly established as a world leader in the construction, preparation and maintenance of sports grounds.

"By enhancing their reputation through a commitment to innovation, the company has pioneered the development of unique technology that enables them to offer high profile clients expertise in the management of grass in extreme climates such as the Ukraine and now Brazil."

Clive Richardson Ltd specialise in Sportsground Construction and Civil Engineering Works. Its previous projects include building the pitches at Dublin's Aviva Stadium.