AN out-of-hours scheme to help Sunderland pupils achieve more has won additional cash.

The National Lottery New Opportunities Fund has given £145,176 to the city council's Out of School Hours programme.

It will be spent on summer school provision across the city during the next two years, which will enable 1,452 youngsters to take part in activities, such as drama, sports and computers.

The award takes the total of funding that the programme has been given to more than £1.8m. Every school in the city has been running out-of-hours learning sessions since April.

The sessions, for four to 18-year-olds, are voluntary, and aim to improve participants' motivation, build their self-esteem, help them become more effective learners and raise achievement.

Already, the programme has been given £1.3m from the New Opportunities Fund for breakfast, lunch and after-school clubs, with £353,000 from the Department for Education and Employment's Standards Fund.

Dr John Williams, the council's director of education and community services, said: "The City of Sunderland is committed to raising achievement through Study Support activities and we are delighted to be awarded this additional funding from the New Opportunities Fund."

Parents in the city wanting more information about the programme should call their local school or Karen Routledge or Glenn Riddle, of the council's study support team, on 0191-553 7866 or 7867.