LOTTERY funding for sports projects in the North-East has risen to £98m invested in more than 200 community projects.

This week, Sport England announced it has invested a landmark £2bn into sport since 1996.

In the North-East, it has enabled developments such as the Willowburn Leisure Centre in Alnwick, Northumberland, and new facilities for the Billingham Rugby Club.

Two North stars who are going to the Athens 2004 Olympics, Middlesborough-based long jumper Chris Tomlinson and swimmer Joanne Jackson, from Richmond, North Yorkshire, have been supported by Sport England.

Judith Rasmussen, director of Sport England North-East, said: "As part of our increased drive to boost participation, Sport England has refocused its investments to ensure that they are more closely aligned on delivering national and regional priorities, as well as being targeted at front-line sports.

"Maintaining and enhancing the overall investment in sport is also vital if we are to continue to achieve our objectives of raising participation and achieving sporting success on the world stage."

At a national level, the Sport England funding has supported projects such as the new Wembley Stadium and the Manchester Commonwealth Games.

Tessa Jowell, Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport, said: "Whether you're a world champion or in a Sunday league, the biggest ever sustained investment in sport is bearing fruit, and this is just the beginning."