A SCHOOL has been given approval to build a £1.3m sports hall.

Wolsingham School and Community College is to start work on the Lottery-funded project next month.

The building will not only benefit the school, but will be used by people in the wider community of Wear Valley. It is expected that it will be open by September.

Headteacher Andrea Crawshaw said: "This is a great opportunity for Wolsingham School and Community College to enhance its facilities and to support the physical education curriculum.

"The sports hall will be available for use by older students as a social base and I am confident that extensive community use will make our new sports hall the hub of local sport and healthy living."

The hall will also provide a much-needed venue for the school's under-19s basketball team, which has recently been crowned national champions.

The team won the accolade despite not having a big enough court to play on at the school, which forced them to play the 2003/2004 season away from home. It is hoped that the team will continue its winning form in their new home venue.

Pupils and the public will be able to use four badminton courts, indoor cricket nets, table tennis, five-a-side court, an all-purpose room suitable for aerobics and martial arts and meeting areas around the main lobby.

It will be open to the public after school hours on weekends and throughout the holidays.