A BUILDING society has helped a Durham school become the county's first college of sporting excellence.

The Newcastle Building Society donated £3,000 from its community fund towards the £100,000 raised by Durham Gilesgate Sports College and Sixth Form Centre.

The college, formerly known as Gilesgate Comprehensive School and Durham Sixth Form Centre, also received £100,000 from Durham County Council and will get £750,000 from the Government in the next six years to develop its sporting facilities.

It aims to encourage and develop sporting talent among pupils, youngsters at local primary schools and in the community.

Gill Foster, the college's director of PE and sport, said: "The Newcastle Building Society's donation really helped us in our bid to become a recognised specialist sports college.

"As well as constructing floodlit tennis and basketball courts, we can now offer professional coaching in a number of sports with the help provided by clubs such as Sunderland AFC .

"The college can also support the development of the most talented sports players.''

Louise Levy, the society's County Durham customer manager, said: "As a building society we want to sustain and nurture the communities in which we are present and do so by supporting grass roots projects like Durham Gilesgate Sport College, which is building links within the community via sport."