CHILDREN at 64 schools across the region received more than £1m of National Lottery money for after-school activity yesterday.

Middlesbrough educational workers received £857,973 for 45 schools, and a further £194,176 went to schools in the Easington district of County Durham. Just one school in North Yorkshire, Barlby High, received cash.

The money has been allocated by Lottery agents from the New Opportunities fund and will be spent on after-school activities such as go-karting, technology and current affairs.

Chief executive of the New Opportunities fund Stephen Dunmore revealed that almost £100m has already been awarded across the country, but there is still more than £100m to be granted.

Middlesbrough Borough Council will provide a number of activities, including breakfast clubs where food, access to TV news and newspapers will be provided. Technology clubs will give pupils the chance to build go-karts, and choral and instrument clubs will join together to produce CDs and musical performances.

A partnership is also planned with ethnic groups in the town to focus on Asian art, music, dance, drama and food.

Middlesbrough councillor Geoff Connolly said: "The activities that schools are planning will raise achievement, improve young people's motivation, build their self esteem and help them to become more effective learners."

The director of Seaham and Easington Education Action Zone, Ian Kershaw, said activities including art, music, science, language, dance, sport and homework clubs had been planned.

He said: "The headteachers and staff of the zone are delighted. I have no doubt that this will contribute very significantly to the raising of aspirations and achievement of young people in one of the most deprived districts of the north of England."

At Barlby High, in North Yorkshire, which received £42,747, an entire programme of ASK (After School Klubs) has been planned