A DURHAM school has won cash backing to expand its summer classes.

The national charity for after-school provision, Education Extra, has given Framwellgate Comprehensive School £1,700, one of 300 awards totalling £120,00 across the country.

The summer school also netted £1,000 when it became one of the first winners of the National Children's Art Awards.

It entered banners produced last year, at its first summer school.

Summer school representatives received the award at the new Tate Modern art gallery, in London, before the Queen visited it.

The school has also been given a £2,000 development grant from Investing in Children, a project that supports groups working with youngsters in County Durham.

To get backing, projects have to give youngsters a key role in decision making and management.

The cash awards mean that more than 100 pupils from Framwellgate school, its feeder primary schools and Durham Trinity Special School, will take part in an exciting summer school.

Headteacher Austin McNamara said: "These awards are a tribute to the hard work and dedication of staff involved."

The summer school will run for a week after term ends.

The school, led by eight teachers, will feature art, history and drama projects. Pupils are paying £10 to take part