MORE resources are to be channelled into a town's schools through action zones.

Education Minister Stephen Timms has announced that Middlesbrough is to have two extra Education Action Zones, covering Hall Garth and Coulby Newham secondary schools and their 18 feeder primary schools.

The move is part of a Government drive to raise standards through its Excellence in Cities initiative, and will result in the schools receiving £500,000 a year for at least three years.

Commissioner for education, Councillor Geoff Connolly, said: "The new resources and new partnership ideas which grow from Excellence in Cities will provide a timely boost to these schools."

The Government will also match private sponsorship of the schools pound for pound.