TWO schools and a leisure centre could receive about £800,000 to improve facilities for pupils and the community.

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

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

It 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 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 gym floor at Huntcliff School would be replaced and a pole vault training facility built, which would give the borough a specialist facility.

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, all day at weekends and school holidays. They would also have access to Huntcliff School's facilities for a minimum of 15 hours per week.

Huntcliff School headteacher Ruth Headdon said: "This is a very good opportunity for 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 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 NOF.