A SECONDARY school has been awarded £550,000 to revamp its sporting facilities both for pupils and local residents.

The Football Foundation has given the money to Hummersknott School, in Darlington, towards new football fields, a floodlit allweather pitch and changing facilities.

The grant will also help to pay towards salaries for a football development officer.

In total, the scheme will cost £1,073,590, with additional funding coming from the school's capital budget.

Nigel Foster, business manager at the school, in Edinburgh Drive, said: "It is a fabulous all-weather pitch. It will be a tremendous asset for the school and the wider community.

"It is going to create an excellent sporting facility."

Paul Thorogood, chief executive of the Football Foundation, said: "The money will go towards building a brand new floodlit thirdgeneration artificial turf pitch, grass pitch drainage improvements and an upgraded changing block. The money will also help pay for a part-time football co-ordinator at the school."

The school has worked on the bid for more than two years. Builders hope to finish the project by the start of the 2009 school year.

Headteacher Pat Howarth said: "We will have a fantastic sports complex. It is brilliant for the students but also for the West End of Darlington."

It is part of a wider multimillion pound project at the school to build new arts facilities, science labs and classrooms.

Alan Milburn MP saw the ongoing work and plans yesterday. He said: "Hummersknott is a good school, but its buildings have become outdated. We are going to get excellent new buildings that will allow pupils and teachers to build on their success.

"I think the football pitches is fantastic for the school and community."

Councillor Nick Wallis, Darlington's cabinet member for health and leisure, said: "This is an exciting development and sits perfectly with Darlington's vision, not only in terms of sports but improving health, too. It will help make Darlington a regional centre of excellence as far as grassroots football is concerned."

By Paul Cook paul.cook@nne.co.uk VICTIM: Maurice Shotton