CHILDREN at a school near Durham are to get their first sports hall as a result of a £340,800 investment.

PE lessons at Sacriston RC Primary School, on Front Street, take place outside or at nearby secondary schools as the primary lacks its own sports hall.

But they are to get a hall as part of a £3.5m investment scheme to improve arts and sports facilities at primary schools in the county. The money was awarded by Sport England and building work will start this month, when North Durham MP Kevan Jones will lift the first piece of turf to launch the start of work.

It is expected the facility will be in place by the end of September.

School governor Lawrence Claughan said: "At last we will have our own facilities.

"At the moment there isn't even anywhere for the nativity, they have to clear a classroom for that."

The sports hall will be open to the community after school hours and during weekends and holidays.

A kitchen is also to be built, as the school's facilities are too small to prepare meals, which have to be brought ready-made into school.

The next step is to raise money to furnish the hall with equipment.

Sacriston's other primary school, Sacriston Nursery and Infant School, on Witton Road, is also in line for a sports hall with its £317,503 share of the Sport England grant. Its present hall is too small.

Red Rose Primary School, in Chester-le-Street, is also in line for expansion work and is to get a new library.