The cash will be used to build many new school sports halls

Sites in County Durham, Teesside, Sunderland and Cumbria, will share �7.7m

The cash is from a �750m lottery good cause scheme to create new and modernisation existing facilities.

Part of the remit of the successful schools and groups, will be to better promote sport within communities.

Four County Durham schools have been given �1.5m each to build new sports halls.

In Sunderland, the Monument consortium of four primary schools has been awarded �789,174, while Town End Primary School will receive �92,500.

Three schools on Teesside will also benefit from over �250,000 in funding.

New sports halls at Dene Community School, in Peterlee, Bishop Barrington Comprehensive, in Bishop Auckland, and Wolsingham School and Community College and Deerness Valley Comprehensive in Ushaw Moor will help the schools introduce new activities.

Improved facilities

Golden Flatts primary school, in Hartlepool, will receive �71,466 to pay for a new games area with floodlighting.

In Middlesbrough, Tollesby and Beverley special schools, which serve 215 pupils with learning and behavioural difficulties, including autism, have been granted �102,124 for a multi-use games area on a site accessible to both schools.

Priory Woods special school, in Middlesbrough, has been granted �92,043 to provide a floodlit multi-use games area accessible to its 150 pupils the 900 pupils at Ormesby Secondary School.

A grant of �423,000 will go to will provide extra accommodation, activities and tuition at Derwent Hill Outdoor Education Centre, in Keswick, Cumbria.

Around 2,400 pupils from Sunderland schools use the facilities.

Lin O'Hara, new opportunities fund regional manager for the North East, said: "This latest boost will bring new and improved facilities to thousands.

"Every one of these grants has a part to play in widening access to quality sports facilities, giving children, young people and communities the chance to choose a healthier lifestyle, boost their self-esteem and confidence and build a positive outlook and sense of achievement."