The cash for new and existing sports facilities

The cash from the Big Lottery Fund's New Opportunities for PE and Sport Programme will be used to improve pitches, changing rooms and equipment.

Newcastle's Walbottle Campus Technology College receives �1.1m to create floodlit sports facilities and refurbish changing rooms.

Other projects are to develop outdoor activities and improve playgrounds.

The new facilities at Walbottle Campus will include a synthetic turf pitch and two multi-use games areas.

They will be used by pupils from the college, other schools and community users.

'Raise standards'

Headteacher Mike Booth said: "We have a thriving community sports association which will make very good use of the new tennis courts and all-weather floodlit football and hockey facilities.

"It is anticipated that these new facilities will raise the standards in PE and sport of our students and will look forward to this work being completed as soon as possible."

Other schools to benefit are Blyth Tynedale County Middle School, in Northumberland, which has been awarded more than �500,000 to build a facility with changing and showers for school and community use, a reception room and a medical room.

Haydon Bridge High School, in Northumberland, will receive more than �75,000 to develop the nearby Ridley Hall Activity and Development Centre.

It will involve upgrading two existing rooms into a store and a briefing room and building a ropes course.

Easterside Primary School, in Middlesbrough, has been awarded more than �19,000 to build a multi-use games area.

St Joseph's RC Primary School, in Middlesbrough, will use more than �17,000 to provide a better playground surface and markings and a storage unit.