SPECIALIST help will soon be on hand for scores of budding sports stars in the Stockton area.

A Government drive to boost sporting opportunities for pupils across the country is already running at Northfield School, Billingham.

The School Sport Coordinator Programme aims to give young people a wide range of opportunities to try different sports. The scheme in Stockton covers 18 schools in the north of the borough.

Dave Swainson, partnership development manager of the North Stockton Programme, said: "Earlier this year the Government decided it wanted to do something to increase participation in school sport.

"And one of the things it highlighted was a need to support PE in schools, with a focus on disadvantage and inclusion."

The scheme, which will develop strong sporting links between schools and clubs aims to improve children's motivation as well as their ability on the sports field.