A DARLINGTON school which raised £50,000 to become a specialist sports college has been told it must now collect even more.

The Northern Echo supported Longfield School's campaign to raise £50,000 last year to submit its bid to the Government for sports college status.

A campaign appeal to former pupils, businesses and Echo readers raised £25,000 in only two weeks. But now the school has been told the rules to bid for special status have changed and it must raise another £5,000.

Staff and pupils are now swiftly planning another series of fundraising events to make up the shortfall.

Acting headteacher Sue Burn said: "The rules have changed since we raised the money, which means we can't use some of the cash raised to go towards the bid.

"Another piece of the funding had to be spent by a certain date and so now we can't use that for the bid either.

"We now have until the beginning of March to raise another £5,000 before we can submit our bid."

There is already a host of new fundraising events planned and it is hoped the biggest money-spinner will be an unusual marathon at the school on Monday.

Almost every pupil in the school will run at least 100 metres as part of two relay teams - one for the boys and one for the girls.

The teams hope to break the world record times for marathons for both girls and boys as well as raising thousands of pounds for the school appeal.

Another two elite teams of 40 runners will complete ten legs each to try to get an even quicker time for the marathon distance of 26 miles 385 yards.

There are also plans for a supermarket bag pack to raise funds and a raffle with the prize of a walk-on part in the TV series Byker Grove, thanks to former pupil Patrick Miller, who appears in the show.

Anyone who can help the school is asked to call (01325) 380815.