LATEST figures destroy the myth that playing fields in the North-East are being concreted over for housing estates, the Government has claimed.

A survey found 83 examples of playing fields, described as "lost" to development were in fact under planning applications for new sports facilities.

The figure was the highest for any region in England, according to Sport England which analysed 985 planning applications between April 2001 and March 2002.

And the value of the facilities - at £40.8m - was the second highest, behind only Yorkshire and Humber.

The facilities include a £2.3m scheme to build ten football pitches, including one all-weather, at Northfield Community School, Stockton.

The survey was the Government's first detailed attempt to hit back at criticism that it has betrayed its manifesto pledge to halt the sale of playing fields

The National Playing Fields Association (NPFA), which campaigns to save open space, has described Labour's record as "disastrous".

It highlighted figures showing that construction bids for sports fields leapt from 625 in 1999-2000 to 1,325 in 2001/2.

And it pointed out that Sport England, the agency which has to be consulted on playing field planning applications, had raised no objections in 80 per cent of cases.

But Tessa Jowell, the Culture Secretary, said open spaces were important but were no substitute for modern sports facilities.

Elsa Davies, spokeswoman for the NPFA, welcomed the publication of the figures but warned the Government had an obsession with indoor facilities.

She said: "People need outdoor spaces for playing. They are not just spaces where it's possible to build indoor sports pitches, but are much more important to the community."