TWO east Cleveland primary schools have become the first in the district to receive Sport England's Activemark.

Bankfields Primary, at Eston, and Ravensworth Junior, Normanby, will receive certificates and plaques from the national scheme rewarding schools for commitment to physical activity.

Bankfields has added its Activemark to a £450,000 project, funded by the Government's Space for Sport and Arts programme, which will provide an outdoor multi-use games area, drama performance suite and arts and crafts studio.

Headteacher Sally Hirst said: "We have a huge commitment to a wide range of sporting activities throughout the year and the Activemark is recognition of the hard work put in by staff to achieve that."

Ravensworth also boasts an impressive range of extra curricular activities with links to sport, including involvement with Middlesbrough FC's Academy.

Headteacher Gill Wild said: "As well as our strong links with the Boro, we have lots of out-of-school clubs, a girls and boys football team, an annual country dance party and outdoor and adventure activities combined with a residential visit to the Carlton Outdoor Centre."