SPORTS and outdoor activities in Darlington schools are set to benefit from a £1m lottery windfall.

The council's bid for funds to provide a range of multi-use games areas and play facilities have been given the go-ahead by officials from the New Opportunities Fund (NOF).

Pupils at Alderman Leach Primary School will be the first to benefit from the scheme as additional sports facilities costing £93,000 are to be built at their new school this year.

It will include a floodlit games area which can be used for a variety of sports including netball, tennis, basketball and fitness activities. The area will also be used by the pupils from nearby schools as well as residents from the West Park development.

Coun Stephen Harker, cabinet member for education, said: "This is excellent news. These new facilities will benefit the health and well being of pupils and they will improve the sports and recreation facilities that will be available to the wider community."

The money will also fund up to four hours of expert coaching each week for two years on a range of sports chosen by the school.

Eight other schools along with the Darlington and District Youth and Community Association's outdoor centre at High Force will also share the £1.075m Lottery Good Causes grant, which will be used to improve PE and sports facilities in the borough.

Other projects planned include playground development at Reid Street Primary School.

Projects at Firthmoor and Red Hall Primary Schools will also see playground development with additional outdoor adventure areas provided.

Skerne Park and Whinfield Primary Schools and Dodmire Junior School will have multi-use games areas built while Branksome Comprehensive School and Carmel Technology College will have existing games areas resurfaced.