SPORTS facilities in Darlington will be improved at a cost of £47,644.

Darlington Borough Council's Cabinet this week agreed to release the cash to develop indoor and outdoor sports facilities.

The money will be used to appoint an architect to develop the improvement plans and a sports project manager to consult schools and young people.

It has come from the Government's New Opportunities Fund for sport and PE. Improvements outlined in applications submitted by schools include:

Firthmoor Primary School, to develop the playground to include an outdoor adventure theme.

Reid Street Primary School, to provide activities with environmental themes.

Red Hall Primary School, to introduce outdoor adventure themes.

Skerne Park, Whinfield, Dodmire and Alderman Leach primary schools, to install multi-use games areas.

Branksome Comprehensive School and Carmel Technology College, to resurface games areas.

The Darlington and District Youth and Community Association's facilities at High Force, in Teesdale, will also be improved and the outdoor adventure areas upgraded.