A COMMUNITY on Teesside has been given £210,000 to help improve its health.

The money has been spent transforming a run-down sports area in Middlesbrough.

The facility, off St Paul's Road, now has two pitches with markings for five-a-side football, basketball and other games such as tennis. It also has an all-weather surface, is floodlit and fenced off.

Edna Donnelly, vice-chairwoman of the West Middlesbrough Neighbourhood Trust, said: "It is a really good quality sports facility that I hope will be widely used and thoroughly enjoyed by generations of youngsters to come.

"The project should also help improve young people's health by promoting healthier lifestyles through physical activity, leisure and recreation, so there are lots of benefits to the community."

The revamp is part of a £52m project to regenerate the area.

The pitches will be used by pupils at Newport Primary School, which is next to the sports area, during school hours. Trees have been planted and footpaths created in the area.