A SCHOOL is hoping to attract 2,000 people from the community every week to use its sports and arts facilities out of hours.

Hummersknott Academy, in Darlington, has established a company, called Hummersknott Active, to run and hire its facilities to the community after school and at weekends.

The public will be able to hire the swimming pool, netball and tennis courts, recording studio and dance and drama rooms between 4pm and 10pm Mondays to Fridays, and earlier sessions on Saturdays and Sundays.

The company is also running language classes for beginners and intermediate levels, as well as exercise classes including Tai Chi.

School principal Pat Howarth said: "I believe this is a good way of linking up with a number of local organisations to provide a modern, safe and accessible venue for their classes, which will also opportunities for local people to take part in a range of fun, active and educational activities."