Bradford is the most expensive place in Yorkshire and Humberside to hire a soccer pitch for a game on a Saturday afternoon, according to a leading union.

GMB claims pitch hire in Bradford works out at an average of £60.28p compared

with Boston, where the cost of a pitch is £18.

The findings follow on from the Football Foundation's sweeping report on the state of pitches which claimed that Bradford had some of the worst in the country with poor facilities and poor drainage.

The union's figures on cost come from a survey carried out by the independent Labour Research Department.

But Bradford Council say they are puzzled by the findings.

A spokesman said: "We are not sure where the GMB figures have come from. Anyone hiring a pitch for a one-off match would pay from £20 to £50 depending on the pitch.

"Our figures show that we compare favourably with other local authorities in West Yorkshire.

"The cost of hiring a council pitch ranges from £270 to £513 per season and most teams play around 15 home matches during the year.

"The pitches differ in price according to whether they have changing rooms, groundstaff and other facilities on site.

"The provision of quality sports facilities for local people is important to Bradford Council and we are currently carrying out a district-wide playing field assessment in partnership with Sport England."

Bradford Council then hopes to improve the situation.

But GMB is adamant that, at present, Bradford Council charges "significantly" more than other regions.

Sandwell in the West Midlands is the most expensive place in England and Wales to hire a football pitch on a Saturday afternoon - at an astounding £180.

The cheapest pitch is in West Oxfordshire at £7.95.

In Cardiff, football pitches are free to Cardiff-based and affiliated youth organisations and clubs.

GMB senior official and member of the TUC General Council Paul Kenny said: "The involvement of the private sector in the running of municipal football pitches and the use of contractors to maintain the grounds has led to prices edging upwards as the private sector needs to make a profit.

"Prices in some areas are too high and councillors should work to get the prices down.

"Councillors should do this since we are all being encouraged to take more exercise as part of a healthier lifestyle."