TINY tots will get an early taste of school sports thanks to a cash windfall of almost £2,000.

Escomb Primary School, in Escomb, near Bishop Auckland, will soon be able to open its doors to pre-school children to introduce them to gymnastics lessons.

The school has been awarded £1,925 from the National Lottery Awards for All programme, which will be used to offer gymnastics classes for younger children in the area.

Physical education co-ordinator Andrea White said: "We will be able to get a qualified coach in to work with our existing gym club and train them to work alongside nursery-age children.

"It will be a great scheme for everyone involved, as it will promote fun exercise from an early age and get future pupils and their parents used to coming into the school. It will also be good for their social skills, and they will enjoy sharing their hobby with younger pupils through a regular programme of activities."

Headteacher Keith Taylor said he was delighted when the school secured the money because it provided an opportunity to share sport expertise with the community.

He said: "We have the Healthy Schools and Activemark Gold Awards for showing a commitment to promoting healthy living and exercise in the school.

"We are delighted to be able to share that with the community through a regular programme of activities.