SPORTING pupils in Darlington have been preparing for the opening of an £80,000 multi-use games area.

The children at Alderman Leach Primary School took part in an activity taster session, ahead of the area opening next year.

The school is the first in the town to receive a floodlit games area, thanks to the Big Lottery Fund. The area can be used to play netball, tennis and basketball.

It will be opened in February, to coincide with the opening of the school on the West Park development, at Faverdale.

On Thursday, pupils took part in a range of activities on the site as part of an after-school club.