EDUCATION bosses hope youngsters will be bowled over by a £100,000 classroom at Durham County Cricket Club.

The after-school facility at the Riverside ground, Chester-le-Street, will help hundreds of children in County Durham and Wearside brush up on their literacy, numeracy and IT skills.

The club has set up the room, which includes computers that rise out of the tables when required, in the heart of the Don Robson pavilion.

Part of the Government's Playing for Success initiative, the facility includes 15 computers and an interactive whiteboard.

Children from Cestria Primary School were invited to help Councillor Bob Pendlebury, chairman of the Durham County Education Authority, and club chairman Bill Midgley, declare the room open.

Centre manager Sue Atkinson said: "This is a ground-breaking initiative with the cricket club providing a motivating and exciting venue for young people."

Mr Midgley said: "We are keen to attract all sections of the community to the Riverside, and to get maximum use of the tremendous facilities here. I am sure the children will be stimulated by their surrounding, and will benefit from the experience of having a classroom in such an unusual setting."