THE development of improved sports facilities at schools in Darlington could move forward next week.

Darlington Borough Council's cabinet will be asked on Tuesday to approve the release of £47,644 from a £1m pot of money to develop facilities.

The funding will be used to appoint an architect to develop the improvement schemes and a sports project manager to consult schools and young people to develop detailed plans.

The money has come from the Government's New Opportunities Fund for sport and PE, to create modern indoor and outdoor facilities at schools.

Stage one of the scheme saw the following schools submit outline applications in April last year:

Firthmoor Primary School has applied to develop its playground to include an outdoor adventure theme.

Reid Street Primary School is looking to provide low-level activities with environmental themes.

Red Hall Primary School will introduce outdoor adventure themes.

Skerne Park, Whinfield, Dodmire and Alderman Leach primary schools will install multi-use games areas.

Branksome Comprehensive School and Carmel Technology College will resurface their games areas.

The Darlington and District Youth and Community Association's facilities at High Force, in Teesdale, will also be improved and the outdoor adventure areas upgraded.

Detailed applications for stage two of the sports development programme must be submitted by the end of March.