Two artificial grass pitches in the North-East are set to be overhauled thanks to £650,000 of National Lottery funding from Sport England.

Durham University will get the lions share of the funding - £500,000 - which will help to pay for the installation of a new artificial grass pitch for rugby union, lacrosse and football.

Conyers School, near Yarm, Teesside, has been awarded £150,000 to replace its existing pitch.

Sport England said it hoped the improvements would benefit thousands of people, not just school and university students

Sport England Property Director, Charles Johnston, said: “As the research shows people have a better experience of sport when the facilities are good both on and off the pitch.

"These investments in artificial grass pitches will have a big impact on sport in local communities.”