PEOPLE in Hartlepool are being urged to make the most of new sport and arts opportunities in the town.

New facilities are being built at four of the town's primary schools - West View, Stranton, Owton Manor and Brougham - thanks to almost £1.8m in grants.

The schools want to ensure the wider community also gets the most out of the facilities.

The money has come from the Space for Sport and Arts project - a partnership between the Government, the New Opportunities Fund, Sport England and the Arts Council of England. It is aimed at boosting sports and exercise in primary schools.

The schools are extending their sports halls into multi-use games areas the size of badminton courts, complete with changing rooms.

West View will get a completely new games area. Two classrooms at Stranton will also be refurbished for teaching and performing music, while at Owton Manor there will be a new community room for art and a gallery for displays.

At Brougham, a small hall will be converted into a music studio with a practice room, and the school's large hall will be available for musical performances with the relevant performance licences already in place.

The work at Brougham and Owton Manor is expected to be finished in April, with West View and Stranton completed next August. All the facilities will have access for disabled people.

For more information, contact Hartlepool Borough Council's sports development team on (01429) 284050.