Work is well underway on transforming the pitch at St. Andrew's into a quality surface ready for the Premier League.

Contractors and groundstaff have joined forces to rip up the old turf and remove tonnes of earth so that a state-of-the-art undersoil heating system, incorporating no less than 18 miles of pipes, can be fitted.

Once the £500,000 work is complete - in time for the start of the 2009/10 season - Blues will also benefit from an improved playing surface.

Consultant Agronomist, Andy Cole, of Sports Turf Research Institute, told bcfc.com: "The future for the pitch at Birmingham City is exciting - having a reliable first class facility that will perform to the exacting standards required for world class football."

Blues manager Alex McLeish added: "You need players on the pitch that are comfortable on the ball and can pass it well - that word quality I use again.

"There is no doubt the pitch needed to improve. It's part of the infrastructure so this is great investment by the club."

As these pictures show, no time is being wasted in making improvements here at St. Andrew's - something that was a real cornerstone of a series of pledges made to supporters earlier this year as part of the New Year, New Start initiative.

The 2009/10 season will also see a big screen erected at the ground and there will be more of a focus on the club's history and heritage - only recently Blues announced that the Railway Stand is to be known as the Gil Merrick Stand from now on in recognition of one of Birmingham City's most legendary former players.