SHOPPERS visiting a Durham shopping centre hold the key to which school will win £3,000 worth of fitness equipment.

The Prince Bishops Shopping Centre's Shop for Schools campaign, which started yesterday and runs until Sunday, October 30, gives people the chance to award a point for each pound they spend at shops in the centre to a school of their choice.

As well as the first prize of £3,000 worth of gym and sports equipment, the school coming second in the campaign will get equipment worth £1,000.

Every school entering will get a free sports starter pack from school sports supplier Evansport.

Receipts must be taken to a kiosk in the Bhs store, where they will be turned into voting vouchers, which can be cast for one of 30 junior, infant or primary schools taking part in the scheme.

Centre manager Richard Toynbee said: "We're hoping the campaign will give something back to the local community in a big way. We're giving 30 schools an equal chance of winning new gym and sports equipment, which in some cases is a big boost of resources.

"With the recent win of the Olympic Games we hope that this equipment will not only help children to a healthier and more active lifestyle, but give them an incentive to go on to become future stars of the games in 2012."

Parents, pupils and relatives can keep track of their school's progress in a points league table at the centre, through newsletters or visiting the website www.princebishops.co.uk