TWO new synthetic turf pitches - at Roseberry Sports and Community College at Pelton, near Chester-le-Street and Deerness Valley Comprehensive School, Ushaw Moor - have been given a cash boost.

The schools teamed up with Durham County Council to make a joint bid for a grant from the Football Foundation, the UK's largest sports charity.

The foundation has announced that it is to give nearly £285,000 towards the cost of a pitch at Deerness Valley and about £145,000 towards a pitch at Roseberry.

It is part of a £30m commitment to improve school sports facilities in association with the Big Lottery Fund.

Pam Turner, director of PE and sport at Roseberry, said: "The new training pitch will help the college to increase its commitment to the community by not only providing better sports facilities, but also catering for the increasing trend for greater female participation in the sport.

"Together with high-quality coaching and management of the project, the facility will increase the participation and development of our young people in sport and give us a positive opportunity to strengthen our links with others who deliver football in our community."

The £435,000 Deerness Valley project, which is still subject to planning permission, is for a 102m by 65m pitch, while at Roseberry there will be a 60m by 40m pitch, which will cost a total of £220,000.