A school under construction in Middlesbrough has received a cash boost.

The Unity City Academy, in Ormesby Road, is being built to replace the town's Langbaurgh and Keldhome Schools.

Ian Bruce, the former chairman of governors of Langbaurgh School, yesterday handed over £9,000 to Unity City Academy principal Eddie Brady from what was the Langbaurgh School Fund - money saved to help with school outings and out-of-school activities.

Mr Bruce said: "I am glad to hand over money as this was always something that was very close to my heart, helping provide funds for school trips for the students who would otherwise not have been able to enjoy these out-of-school activities."

Mr Brady said: "We are very fortunate and very grateful to get the money from Langbaurgh School as it is now essentially benefiting pupils from both Langbaurgh and Keldholme Schools.

"Every school is always grateful for extra funding and this is really the icing on the cake."

The multi-million pound academy, which will open in June, will include a wide range of facilities for students and the local community.

Features include a studio for performing arts, a learning resource centre, an Internet caf and technology and sports facilities.

The £14m school includes a 120-seater suspended lecture theatre pod built on four steel legs to give the appearance of floating in mid air.

Organisers say the building will look unlike any school seen before and will become a landmark for Middlesbrough.