A County Armagh firm has won a contract to prepare football pitches for six venues to be used for the 2014 World Cup in Brazil.

NI Enterprise Minister Arlene Foster announced the contract, worth more than £1m, which has been awarded to Clive Richardson Ltd (CRL) of Craigavon.

CRL recently took part in an Invest NI trade mission to Brazil.

According to the BBC, CRL will prepare pitches at the Gremio in Porto Alegre, Forteliza in Forteliza, Barradao in Salvador, Belo Horizonte, International, Porto Alegre and Corinthian's, Sao Paulo.

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Ms Foster is quoted by the BBC as saying: "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."

(MH)