A FOOTBALL manager opened a primary school's new sports academy yesterday.

Neale Cooper, from Hartlepool United FC, was at the town's West View Primary School, where he performed the opening ceremony.

The school has a long sporting history and was recently given the Activemark Gold award from Sport England.

The academy will provide a multi-purpose sports hall, changing rooms and floodlit multi-use games area.

As well as other improvements to the school, which included a new entrance and reception, staff facilities and community room, the sports academy cost £675,000.

The funding came from groups including Sport England, the school and the Football Foundation.

Headteacher Andy Brown said: "The developments are not finished yet. The entrance off Davison Drive is to be aesthetically developed with £10,000 funding from Creative Partnerships.

"It is my moral purpose to make a difference to the lives of all our children and, in turn, the community they belong to, and I will not stop searching for funding that can develop our school."

A nursery costing £163,000 was also opened at the school yesterday by Father Philip North.

Funding came from Sure-Start, the Early Years Partnership and the School Devolved Capital Fund among others.