TWO schools and a leisure centre could receive more than £800,000 to make improvements for pupils and the community.

The New Opportunities Fund is assessing two applications submitted by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council.

The first is seeking about £500,000 to make improvements at West Redcar Community School, in Redcar, which has applied for specialist college status in performing and visual arts.

The school has plans to develop a fitness centre, drama, music and dance studio plus a community art gallery, youth theatre group and aerobics classes for the community.

The second application is for £304,000 to improve sports facilities at Huntcliff School, in Saltburn, and at the neighbouring Saltburn Leisure Centre.

Under the proposals for Huntcliff School, a floodlit multi-use games area would be built for use by pupils during the day and leisure centre users at other times.

The gymnasium floor at Huntcliff School would be replaced and a pole vault training area built.

An existing aerobics studio floor, as well as the sports hall floor at Saltburn Leisure Centre, would also be replaced under the proposals.

Local schools will be able to use four badminton courts, the aerobics studio and changing rooms at the leisure centre for 800 hours in the academic year.

Leisure centre users would have unrestricted access to the multi-use games area after 5pm each weekday and all day at weekends and during school holidays.

People would also have access to Huntcliff School's facilities for a minimum of 15 hours a week.

Huntcliff School headteacher Ruth Headdon said: "This really is a very good opportunity for all of us.

"We are very pleased to be able to build further links with the leisure centre and widen the range of sports opportunities for the children.

"We use the facilities there already but this new proposal will give us a lot more time at the centre free of charge so the financial value to the school is significant."

Cabinet members have agreed to the proposals, pending the grant offer from the New Opportunities Fund