WORK has started on a £1.6m development to transform a Sunderland school.

Over the next few months, a new sports and community facility will be built at Hylton Red House School.

It will include a sports hall and dining facility incorporating a modern, fast food service and the latest music and video screen technology.

There will also be a skills development area where older pupils will have the opportunity to train in catering.

Funding for the project has come from the Neighbourhood Renewal Fund and the Local Education Authority.

Councillors Paul Stewart, Sunderland City Council's education portfolio holder, and Richard Bell, from Town End Farm, will visit the site today to inspect the progress.

Coun Stewart said: "This is great news for the pupils and staff of Hylton Red House Comprehensive.

"Not only does it give them state-of-the-art dining facilities, it also gives them some of the best sports facilities north of the river. It is particularly excellent news for the community, as these facilities will be open to them after school hours."

A management group, comprising residents and agencies, will oversee the building and promote its activities.

Hylton Red House has recorded a rise from 13 to 20 per cent of pupils achieving A-C grade GCSE passes in the last three years.

Headteacher Mike Boundy said: "This is the first real capital investment since 1964.

"Now people can see we're building, they know we've got a great future."